Introducing AAG’s president
Self-described political gerontologist Anita Westera says she’s focused on ensuring policy is informed by evidence from research and practice.
The Australian Association of Gerontology has formally introduced its refreshed board this month including new president Anita Westera – an academic, registered nurse and former adviser in the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments.
Ms Westera, an experienced researcher, policy analyst, project manager and advocate – began the two-year term at the end of 2024 after serving as vice president since mid-2023.
AAG is an independent membership organisation – made up of researchers, educators, policy makers, health professionals, service providers, advocates for older adults and members of the community – whose over-arching aim is to improve the experience of ageing by connecting gerontological research, policy and practice.
As president, Ms Westera serves as national chair of AAG’s board and research trust and continues on the NSW executive committee.
Speaking with Australian Ageing Agenda at the AAG National conference in November, Ms Westra said she was so excited to take on the role.
“I call myself a political gerontologist” which is “about highlighting the connection between policy, practice and research,” she said.
“My interest is ensuring that we get policy that’s informed by evidence and evidence which is reaped from the research sector as well as the practice sector.
Ms Westera was awarded a Distinguished Member of AAG in 2020, and followed over two decades’ involvement within the NSW and Illawarra AAG committees.
She is passionate about influencing service delivery, policy and program processes to improve the lives of older people and those living with dementia. Following the aged care royal commission, Ms Westera spoke out about the opportunities it missed to address sector-wide reform.
Her priorities as president include continuing AAG’s drive to be more independent and financially sustainable for the future and broadening the body’s networks and collaborations.
“I’m really looking forward to working with everybody together over the next two years to take AAG to that next step so that we make ourselves an organisation that is financially sustainable, but also we are a partner that people want to partner with.”
Watch the full video interview here:
AAG’s board refresh
Ms Westera replaces Dr Claudia Meyer as president after her two-year term.
The vice presidency has gone to Lui Di Venuto – who is experienced in community care and service development with local government in South Australia, and social services in the United Kingdom.
Mr Di Venuto has been the team leader of active ageing and disability programs at SA’s City of Onkaparinga, which has a population of 169,000, since 2016, and an active member of the AAG’s SA committee since 2003 and chair of the SA division since 2014.
The other new board members are sport scientist Dr Elissa Burton, consultant writer, communication specialist and former AAA editor Keryn Curtis, researcher and teacher Dr Suanne Lawrence and Health Workforce Academy founder Dr Ashlyn Sahay.
Returning board members include clinician-researcher and neuropsychologist Dr Anita Goh, Tangentyere Council Aboriginal Corporation manager Ben Poona and University of Canberra Distinguished Professor of health and ageing Diane Gibson.
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