Purpose of the Board
The purpose of the Ageing and Disability Advisory Board (Board) is to advise the Commissioner on issues relating to abuse, neglect and exploitation of older people and adults with disability, and can explore any topic that can improve the lives and outcomes of older people, adults with disability, their families and informal carers.
Members of the Board include the Commissioner and people appointed by the Commissioner who have knowledge and experience in relevant matters, and also reflect the diversity of the community.
Strategic Plan
The Board has endorsed a strategic plan that aims to shape their strategic thinking of the NSW Ageing and Disability Commission and engagement with contemporary social issues. The Board's strategic plan is available for review here. (PDF, 60.9 KB)
Statement of support for the Voice
Read the Ageing and Disability Advisory Board statement of support for the Voice to Parliament.
Board members
Declan Lee - Chair
- Student completing Juris Doctor at UNSW, previously acquired Bachelor Degree in Criminal Justice
- Student champion for people with disability
- Lived experience with multiple disabilities.
Joan Hughes - Deputy Chair
- Chair, Ministerial Advisory Council on Ageing (MACA)
- Former President COTA, CEO, Australian Veterans Children's Assistance Trust
- Extensive experience in policy and research in the areas of ageing and for carers, including ageing parents of children with disabilities. Joan also volunteers for various community organisations.
Corinne Henderson
- Director, Policy and Systems Reform with the NSW Mental Health Coordinating Council and a member of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal
- Former psychotherapist with experience working in community and private settings, specialising in trauma and the impact on mental health and psychosocial outcomes.
Edward Morris
- Chief Executive Officer of the Physical Disability Council of NSW (PDCN) and Chair of the NSW Disability Advocacy Network (NDAN)
- Co-Chair of NSW Health’s Disability Strategy Steering Committee and a Member of City of Sydney Inclusion (Disability) Advisory Panel
- Lived experience of disability through multiple sclerosis with extensive experience driving social change through championing lived experience. Previous experience as a disability consultant, government adviser, academic, and non-profit director.
Elisabeth Shaw
- CEO, Relationships Australia (NSW)
- Professional background as a clinical and counselling psychologist
- Senior consultant at The Ethics Centre, and Fellow of the Australian Psychological Society
Giancarlo De Vera
- CEO, BEING Mental Health Consumers Ltd
- Previous experience in disability policy and advocacy
- Lived experience of disability and is the inaugural Secretary of the Disabled Australian Lawyers Association, Treasurer of the Australian Centre for Disability Law and sits on the Australian Government National Disability Data Asset Council.
Heath Dickens
- CEO, NSW Council for Intellectual Disability
- Previous experience in leadership positions in the disability and community sectors
Lauren Hutchins
- Assistant Secretary at the Health Services Union NSW/ACT/QLD
- Vice President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions
- President of Unions NSW.
Mary Karras
- Chief Executive Officer of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, (ECCNSW)
- Extensive experience in advocating for, consulting and engaging with multi faith, multi lingual and multicultural community groups. Mary also sits on various National and State Ministerial Boards and Advisory Committees.
Dr Rosemary Sheehy
- Community Geriatrician and Endocrinologist with Sydney Local Health District
- Interested in aged care diabetes, boarding house resident health needs, HIV and transgender aged care
- Previous experience as consultant to the NSW Ombudsman reviewable disability deaths team.
Suzanne Naden
- A proud Yuin (South Coast) Woman raised on Darkinjung country
- CEO, Bungree Aboriginal Association LTD
- Previous experience working with State and Federal government agencies.
Tanya Chapman
- Solicitor in private practice specialising in Wills, estate litigation and elder law
- Co-Chair of the Hunter Central Coast Elder Abuse Prevention Collaborative
- Previous experience as a solicitor at the Legal Aid Elder Abuse Service, and scripting, hosting and editing the Age, Abuse & Justice Youtube video series and podcast.
Tony Jones
- Policy Officer, Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority
- Experience working in disability policy and advocacy.
Yumi Lee
- CEO, Older Women’s Network
- Awarded Advocacy and Reform Bright Spark Award 2021 of the NSW Women's Legal Service for her work in advocating for the safety of older women.