Welcome to our new president

Announcing our new President

Active Ageing Australia is pleased to announce the appointment of Laura Purdue as Board President. Laura has spent the last 16 years in the SA Public service sector in roles with Office for Recreation and Sport and SA Health. Laura brings a wealth of experience and expertise in increasing physical activity and improving health and wellbeing across the life course. She has a passion for social inclusion, community development, creating capacity and supportive environments to enable people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to live happy, healthy lives.

Laura will be a tremendous asset to the organisation as we further our vision of all Australians living active, healthy and engaged lives at any age.

Stepping down from the role of Board President is Robert Barnard. We sincerely thank Robert for his commitment over 12 years of dedicated service to the organisation as President, and look forward to his continued input into our strategic direction as a Board Member.

We also thank outgoing Board member Brenton Chappell for his years of service and welcome new Board member Dr. Di King who brings extensive health, policy and medical expertise.

Message from the incoming President of Active Ageing Australia, Laura Purdue

I’m excited to be taking on the role of President of Active Ageing Australia at a time when we are poised to dramatically increase our profile and impact across South Australia, Australia and internationally. I would like to thank Bob Barnard for his tireless efforts and distinguished leadership as President of Active Ageing Australia over the past 12 years. He has been an inspiration to me over many years and I’m grateful that he will continue on as a Board member. His expertise, professional reputation and knowledge are invaluable to our organisation and in helping us to realise our future potential.

Message from the Treasurer of Active Ageing Australia, Mark Mackintosh

Bob Barnard has been the driving force behind Active Ageing for many years. His commitment to active ageing, through his work at the Centre for Physical Activity in Ageing as well as being a very active President of Active Ageing Australia, has helped maintain momentum and progress through some challenging years. Having worked with Bob on the Board of Active Ageing for the past 7 years or so, Bob’s calm approach and focussed understanding of the key issues has been vital in ensuring that our sometimes limited resources are leveraged for maximum benefit. While Bob is standing down from the leadership role, his wise counsel and determination will continue to be greatly valued by the Board and team at Active Ageing.

Message from outgoing President of Active Ageing Australia, Bob Barnard

My long involvement with Active Ageing Australia (previously Recreation for Older Adults) actually began in 1980 when I started some keep fit programs for older adults in the Port Adelaide/Cheltenham region. My next contact was when I took a place on the Active Ageing SA Board in 2002. I was elected as Vice-President in 2004 and then President in 2006.

Of particular importance for me has been to be part of the massive growth in interest across the whole community in the global and local phenomenon of Active Ageing. Highlights for me during my tenure as President have included – ongoing support for Active Ageing Australia by our Patrons, Governor Nelson, Governor Scarce and Governor Hieu Van Le; the support and commitment by the Office of Recreation and Sport and also Office for the Ageing and by SA Department of Health and Ageing; the development of the Home Activity Monitoring Project and more recently the Home Exercise Lifestyle Programme strategy; the ongoing development of Easy Moves for Active Ageing; the Chronic Disease Self Management Support Project; the National training program for the Monash No-Falls project and the Falls Prevention in SA website and State based Falls forums; hosting international speakers at Active Ageing Australia Conferences including; Colin Milner, International Council on Active Aging; Professor Steven Blair; state based Active Ageing Conferences convened by Active Ageing Australia on ageing issues; attending and presenting at the 2004 (London, Ontario), 2012 (Glasgow) and 2016 (Melbourne, Australia) World Congress on Active Ageing events; and the recent highlight of involvement in the Shaping SA – Ageing Well State Forum; Active Ageing Week and the many positive events undertaken as part of the celebration.

Finally I must say that a highlight has been to have had the fantastic support of the Active Ageing Australia community of members (both individuals and organisations), Board Members and of course the unwavering support of the staff of the organisation during this period. .

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