The Illawarra Chapter is a newly formed Chapter of the AAG. The Illawarra consists of the local government areas of Wollongong, Shellharbour, Kiama and Shoalhaven. The Chapter includes academics, clinicians, practitioners, researchers and older members of the community interested in ageing issues that impact on the Illawarra area of NSW.

A small but energetic committee continues to forge valuable collaborations with academics, researchers, clinicians and service providers in the area. We also aim to bring national and international experts in health and ageing to present at events across the region, to enable local people to keep up to date with major research, policy and service delivery developments.

Localised research and programs have been featured through regular forums held in partnership with the University of Wollongong Global Challenges Program and IRT.

Further collaborations and partnerships will continue to be explored to ensure that issues of ageing are addressed holistically and responsively for members of the AAG in the Illawarra.

Chapter Chair

Sharon Wall has worked in Ageing and Aged Care for over 40 years and is a long-standing member and inaugural fellow of the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) and is the current chair of the Illawarra Chapter.

She is the director of Ageing by Caring Pt Ltd and is also the Project Coordinator of the Koori Dementia Care Project under the auspice of NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia). This project is translating research undertaken by the Koori Growing Old Well Study into capacity building and resources for Aboriginal communities.  

Anita Westera

Jacquelin Capell