Program Overview

We’re hard at work building an exceptional program for the Positive Ageing Summit 2026. Our goal is to bring you an agenda filled with impactful sessions, leading experts, and practical workshops that will provide evidence-based strategies that aged care professionals can adopt to meet the growing demand for independence modifying and high-quality, person-centred care as recommended by the aged care royal commission and at the centre of incoming aged care policy. See our current program below.

Day 1 Program

Wednesday 20 May 2026

8:00am – 9:00am	REGISTRATION AND SHOWCASE NETWORKING including refreshments
9:00am – 9:15am	Welcome: Opening remarks for Positive Ageing Summit by emcee Jessica Adamson
9:15am – 10:00am	KEYNOTE Professor Maria Fiatarone Singh, Professor, The University of Sydney
10:00am – 10:30am	Medication and Positive Ageing Michael Bonner, CEO, Choice Aged Care
10:30am – 11:00am	NETWORKING MORNING TEA including exhibitor showcase and refreshments Brought to you by
11:00am – 12:00pm	PANEL: Technology and Innovation Moderated by: David Cochran, CEO, Harbison Panelists: Kim van Schooten, Senior Research Fellow, Neuroscience Research Australia Chris Balogi, Executive ICT, Southern Cross Care (Sa, Nt & Vic) Inc. Zachary Bailey, Founder & Managing Director, Empathy Studios
12:00pm – 12:30pm	LiveUp and Keep Able: Two platforms – One Purpose. Enabling Older Australians To Live and Age Well Hilary O’Connell, Principal Advisor Healthy Ageing & Reablement, iLA
12:30pm – 1:00pm	National Allied Health Update Anita Hobson-Powell, Chief Allied Health Officer, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
1:00pm – 2:00pm	NETWORKING LUNCH including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
2:00pm – 3:30pm	PANEL: Finding Your Purpose Moderated by: Tamara Henwood Panelists: Jason Skennerton, Head of Business Development, Plena Healthcare Simon Kerrigan, Director, Guide Healthcare Michael Zoumaras, Head of Allied Health, Altaira
3:30pm – 4:00pm	NETWORKING AFTERNOON TEA including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
4:00pm – 4:40pm	KEYNOTE Marcus Riley, Executive Chairman, Bally Cara
4:40pm – 4:50pm	Previous Paul Johnson Award winner’s address
4:50pm – 5:10pm	PAUL JOHNSON POSITIVE AGEING AWARD Presented by Marcus Riley, Executive Chairman
5:10pm – 5:20pm	DAY ONE CLOSING ADDRESS
5:20pm – 7:30pm	WELCOME COCKTAIL RECEPTION

Note: Program is subject to change

Day 2 Program

Thursday 21 May 2026

8:00am – 8:50am	BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS Let’s talk positive ageing: confidence, capability, and purpose Moderated by: Marie Alford, General Manager, Hammond Innovations Panelists: Professor Chris Poulos, Head of Research & Aged Care Clinical Services, Hammond Innovations Dr Steve Macfarlane, Geriatric Psychiatrist; Head of Clinical Services, DSA Tamara Henwood, Dementia Doula & Founder, Tamara Henwood Consulting Sponsored by
8:50am – 9:00am	WELCOME TO DAY 2
9:00am – 10:00am	KEYNOTE Peter Williams, CEO, OneCare
10:00am – 10:30am	Consumer Perspective Judith Leeson, Director, Vector Consultants
10:30am – 11:00am	NETWORKING MORNING TEA including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
11:00am – 11:30am	Support at Home and the New Aged Care Act Jasmine Snow
11:30am – 12:00pm	Oversight, Reform and the Consumer Voice: Advancing Positive Ageing in a Changing System Natalie Siegel-Brown, Inspector-General of Aged Care, Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care
12:00pm – 1:00pm	PANEL: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Moderated by: Lorraine Poulos Panelists: Gary Rake, Deputy Commissioner, Regulatory Operations Division at the Commission Dr Mandy Callary, Chief Clinical Advisor, Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission, Adelaide
1:00pm – 2:00pm	NETWORKING LUNCH including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
2:00pm – 2:30pm	Social Prescription Rachael Cook, CEO, Inclusee
2:30pm – 3:00pm	Meaningfulness Jacquie Molloy, Communications Specialist BA (Hons), Grad Dip Arts Management
3:00pm – 3:30pm	Behavioural Science Dr Natasha Reid, Senior Research Fellow & Behavioural Scientist, The University of Queensland
3:30pm – 4:00pm	NETWORKING AFTERNOON TEA including exhibitor showcase and refreshments
4:00pm – 5:00pm	PANEL: Ex-CEO Insights – Opportunities for Positive Ageing Moderated by: David Moran, CEO, Southern Cross Care Panelists: Jo Boylan Frank Weits
5:00pm – 5:10pm	CLOSING ADDRESS
5:10pm	CONFERENCE CLOSE