Key Facts:
Senior Australian of the Year Professor Henry Brodaty AO makes his first South Australian visit this week since receiving the nation’s top honour!
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Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing, retirement can become one of life’s most rewarding chapters, and growing older should never mean giving up purpose, creativity or contribution.
Those are the messages from three of Australia’s most inspiring advocates, who will come together in Adelaide this Wednesday to challenge outdated perceptions of ageing and share practical ways Australians can live healthier, more connected and meaningful lives.
In his first visit to South Australia since being named the 2026 Australian Senior Australian of the Year, one of the world’s leading dementia researchers, Professor Henry Brodaty AO, will share why protecting brain health should become as routine as looking after your heart.
“Dementia is not an inevitable part of ageing. Protecting your brain health should become just as routine as looking after your heart. “Healthy ageing isn’t simply about living longer — it’s about staying independent for longer, and that’s something we can influence. “We’ve shown that investing in brain health doesn’t just improve lives — it actually saves the health system money. Prevention isn’t just good medicine; it’s good economics,” Professor Brodaty said.
Professor Brodaty has spent more than five decades advancing dementia prevention, research and care, helping establish what is now Dementia Australia and Alzheimer’s Disease International, while pioneering research and support programs that have improved the lives of families across Australia and around the world. Halfway through his year as Australia’s Senior Australian of the Year, he continues to use the platform to advocate for brain health, dementia prevention and national reform.
Joining Professor Brodaty are South Australia’s joint 2026 Senior Australians of the Year, award-winning sound designer James Currie and volunteer leader Mac Benoy, whose stories demonstrate that purpose, creativity and contribution need not diminish with age.
Across a career spanning more than 50 years, Currie has helped shape the sound of acclaimed Australian productions including Wolf Creek and worked alongside some of the country’s most celebrated filmmakers. Today, he says his greatest achievement isn’t the films he helped create, but the people he has mentored, many of whom have gone on to successful careers of their own.
“Experience shouldn’t be retired. Some of my proudest achievements aren’t the films I made — they’re the people I’ve helped along the way,” Mr Currie said.
After taking early retirement more than 22 years ago, Mr Benoy transformed his life through volunteering, mentoring and community leadership, becoming a passionate advocate for recognising the knowledge and experience older Australians continue to offer.
“Australia’s greatest untapped resource isn’t hidden underground — it’s the knowledge, experience and skills of retired Australians,” Mr Benoy said.
CEO of the Australia Day Council of South Australia, Jan Chorley, said the event brought together Australians whose stories demonstrate the lasting impact one person can have on their community.
“Professor Henry Brodaty AO, James Currie and Mac Benoy have each used their Australian of the Year platform to spark important conversations and inspire positive change. “While their achievements span medicine, research, film and community leadership, they share a common belief that growing older should never mean stopping your contribution. Their stories remind us that experience, purpose and generosity can transform lives and strengthen communities. “As we celebrate their achievements, it’s also a timely reminder that nominations for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards close at the end of this month. Every community has someone making an extraordinary difference, and we encourage South Australians to nominate someone who inspires them before 31 July,” Ms Chorley said.
Hosted by ABC Radio Adelaide’s Deb Tribe, Reshaping the Future of Ageing will be held this Wednesday 22 July, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm at U City, 43 Franklin Street, Adelaide. The afternoon will explore brain health, dementia prevention, creativity, mentoring, volunteering, lifelong learning and finding purpose later in life. Tickets are $35 for adults and $26 concession (plus booking fee) and are available now at australiadaysa.com.au/reshaping-the-future-of-ageing.
Nominations for the 2027 Australian of the Year Awards close on 31 July 2026. To nominate someone making an extraordinary difference in your community, visit australianoftheyear.org.au.
