Two new directors join ARIIA board

Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia has appointed two new directors to its board – aged care executive Veronica Jamison and Associate Professor Corey Tutt.

Ms Jamison joins ARIIA with extensive experience working in the aged, community and primary care sectors as well as in public health settings. She is chief executive officer of community-based regional aged care and retirement living provider Shepparton Villages in northern Victoria.

Having grown up in the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney, Ms Jamison is a passionate campaigner for the preservation of regional, remote and rural aged care.

Featuring in conversation in the forthcoming edition of Australian Ageing Agenda magazine, Ms Jamison said: “It upsets me to see closures of homes in these areas and for people to have to leave their community where they’ve lived all their lives because that breaks down social connection.”

Before joining Shepparton Villages, Ms Jamison was general manager – community health and care at not-for-profit aged care, in-home and community services provider Benetas.

On her appointment to the ARIIA board, Ms Jamison said: “This is a wonderful opportunity to bring the voice of aged care providers to an organisation that is clearly leading the way in innovation in our industry.”

Mr Tutt is an associate professor at Western Sydney University’s School of Science. His university appointment was in recognition of his significant contribution as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) leader, educator and mentor in Indigenous communities across Australia.

Associate Professor Tutt is also founder and CEO of DeadlyScience – a not-for-profit organisation that provides STEM resources to remote schools in Australia and connects young Indigenous people with STEM professionals.

In 2020, Associate Professor Tutt was awarded the Order of Australia medal for his contributions to Indigenous STEM education.

A Kamilaroi man, Associate Professor Tutt said his ARIIA role will enable him to help First Nations’ older people stay connected to Country. “I want to lend my experience to ARIIA so we can better care for our Elders in communities, particularly in regional and remote areas. We have a deep connection to land and water, and it is central to our spirituality, so it is important to support our Elders as they age to ensure they maintain that connection with Country.”

They bring extensive and diverse experience to ARIIA

Reuben Jacob

Chair of the ARIIA board Kylie Walker said she was thrilled to welcome Ms Jamison and Associate Professor Tutt to the organisation “and look forward to their expertise and insights in a critical time for the aged care sector when the needs of older Australians and the delivery of their care are rapidly evolving.”

Recently appointed ARIIA CEO Reuben Jacob said the skills and achievements of the new directors – combined with their backgrounds in health and community – makes them perfect appointments to the board.

“I’m delighted to welcome Veronica and Corey to the ARIIA board and look forward to working closely with them and the rest of the ARIIA board to continue to make a positive impact on the lives of older Australians. They bring extensive and diverse experience to ARIIA to drive innovation and transformative change in the aged care sector.”

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