Anne was appointed to the COTA SA Board in November 2013, and she is also the Chair of the COTA SA Policy Council, a position which she has held since her appointment to that role in December 2013. Anne brings extensive experience from her career as a senior public sector bureaucrat in South Australia which culminated in her two year term as Acting Commissioner for Equal Opportunity from June 2010 to July 2012. Anne has a strong background in equal opportunity, planning, strategy and problem solving from her years at senior levels within the areas of health, mental health and equal opportunity. Anne also has experience in the not for profit sector, including as a member of the Board of Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS) and the National Aged Care Alliance. Anne holds a number of other positions including National Chair of the Council of Elders and Assistant Commissioner Public Sector Grievance Review Commission.

Alison has a history working with, and advocating for older, frailer and more vulnerable members living in our community. Her skills, knowledge and experience have been developed working in both the Not for Profit and Local Government sectors through Administration, Management and Project Leadership roles across diverse and challenging areas. Alison’s priority is to support people as they age to ensure they have the opportunities, skill set and confidence to continue living their life in the way that they choose. Her focus is capacity building strategies and supports for the individual together with a community development approach to address challenges or barriers that prevent older people living their optimal life. Experience with funding models and contract management, as well as partnering with other organisations to achieve optimal outcomes, support the advantages and effectiveness of working collaboratively.

Alison has experienced the highs and lows, and challenges of supporting close family members through their own journey as they age, which has given her perspective from both sides, challenging her thoughts in some area and supporting others.

Barry has an extensive career as a senior administrator and chief executive in the fields of justice and correctional services, emergency services, occupational health and safety, and corporate services reform. In recent years he has consulted on capacity building and strategic planning in the Pacific. Barry's positions have included managing correctional systems in Victoria and South Australia and as Director General of the Corrective Services Commission in Queensland, Chief Executive of Emergency Services in South Australia, and Commissioner of the Solomon Islands Correctional Service. Barry is a member of the COTA SA Policy Council, Chair of the Climate Change Group and was appointed a Board Director in 2017.

Elaine Delgado has 30 years of experience in the not-for-profit and local government sectors. With community wellbeing as the central focus, her career has been extensive in the areas of health, fitness and volunteer programs for older adults, public health planning, open space and streetscape planning and design, urban planning policy, social policy, and strategy. Elaine has held leadership roles in community engagement, project and program management, policy development and strategic planning.

Since retiring in 2020, Elaine has supported COTA SA's Strength for Life and Social Connections Programs, and is active as an ‘influencer' in The Plug In. Elaine is passionate about the role of policy as a foundation to achieve positive outcomes for older people, particularly in areas relating to health and wellbeing, and housing.

Gosia was born in Poland and came to Australia in 1968. Gosia has spent many years offering her experience and skills in multicultural community work, specifically within the aged care industry.

One of her achievements was to set up a linkage and advocacy service in the metropolitan area, Whyalla, and Riverland. Aside from the aged care industry work, Gosia has also worked with refugees and domestic violence victims.

Gosia has served on a range of community and state government committees including the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission for 14 years. Currently she is a Board Member of the Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia and Council for Women of Diverse Cultural Backgrounds.

Within her own Polish community, Gosia has been actively involved for decades and is currently the President of the Polish Women’s Association of SA. Previously she was the Vice President of the Federation of Polish Organisations in SA, Dozynki Harvest Festival and Polish Hill River Church Museum.

Gosia is presently employed with RDNS (part of the Silver Chain Group) as a Multicultural Consultant.

Gosia’s academic qualifications include Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Social Administration and Master of Business Administration.

Gosia’s hard work has been acknowledged and the Polish Government awarded her the Gold Cross for services to the Polish community in 2000. In 2009 she received the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland for services to the Polish community.

The Australian Government also recognised her hard work and in June 2005 she was awarded an OAM for services to the community.

Born in Germany, Hanna emigrated to Australia as a child with her family and later built a life in rural South Australia after marrying a station owner and living on remote Kerba Station on the Far West Coast of Eyre Peninsula. Over the years, Hanna has been a business owner, educator, Rotarian, community leader, and aged care advocate.

For over 30 years, Hanna has been an Honorary Rotarian, leading philanthropic projects and playing a major role in events like the Yankalilla Twilight Rodeo and Yankalilla Car Cruise. Hanna also served as a board member of the Fleurieu Community Foundation, supporting local initiatives.

Passionate about education, Hanna has taught computing to seniors and conducted family history research workshops, drawing on my Diploma in Family History (UTAS, 2018). As a published author, she has shared her knowledge and love of research with others.

Hanna's advocacy for aged care began when she secured a Home Care Package for her late mother and was shocked by the very high provider fees, and then later as her advocate when she enter a residential care facility. Since then, Hanna has dedicated myself to helping seniors navigate My Aged Care, negotiate with providers, and fight for fairer treatment. As a member of advocacy groups, Hanna actively works to ensure better aging policies and fairer outcomes under the new Aged Care Act 2024.

Jenny Hughes is the Chief Executive of Catalyst Foundation and has more than 30 years of executive and governance experience in the private, local and state governments and not-for-profit sector in the areas of social planning, community engagement, policy and infrastructure development and management.

Jenny has worked in state and local government in South Australia and Northern Territory in leadership roles across a range of services, together with a successful track record in policy development, community consultation and engagement and the development and implementation of new services and programs.

Jenny has held Board positions in health and environmental sectors and is currently sitting on a number of committees for state and non-government agencies. Jenny has a passion and interest in community well-being and services for rural and regional communities.

Dr Joseph Masika OAM is a recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia. He was born in Kilimanjaro Region, The United Republic of Tanzania, East Africa. He is experienced Civil servant with demonstrated history of working in Government, Community and International relations.

Holds Doctor of Medicine (MD) Degree for almost 40 years, Master of Public Health (The University of Adelaide), Post Graduate Certificate in Environmental Health from South Australian Centre for Public Health. Post Graduate Certificate in Australian Migration Laws and Practice (Australian National University) and Graduate of Global Health Diplomacy, The State University of New York. Graduate of International Humanitarian Law Certificate from Leiden University, Netherlands.

Dr Masika is a former member of South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission. He is also the former Member of the Commonwealth Government Ministerial advisory Committee on Africa-Australia relationship. Former Board member of Multicultural Communities Council of South Australia and Multicultural Aged Care Inc. He is Elected Member-City of Marion.

Dr Masika has received numerous awards and honours for his contribution to Global Humanitarian Services, refugees, multiculturalism and diversity. These include the African-Australian of the Year 2012. In 2013, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia for outstanding service to the community. In February 2013, Dr Masika was awarded the South Australia Governor’s Multicultural Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in South Australia.

He was awarded the honorary membership of Golden Key International Honour Society- Asia-Pacific, Adelaide University in 2014. Universal Peace Federation, A Global Network of Peacebuilders affiliated with United Nations in 2016, made him an Ambassador for Peace.

In 2020, a Global Goodwill Ambassador of Global Goodwill Ambassadors Foundation in recognition for his outstanding contribution to Global Humanitarian to the communities overseas.

Dr Joseph Masika OAM was finalist Australian of the Year Awards 2015 Local Hero in South Australia.

Dr Masika is committed to elimination of all forms of gender based violence, achieving equity, advancing diversity and inclusion in all forms.

Prior to her retirement in 2016, Marilyn had worked in aged care for 30 years primarily in community aged care. She held various management roles and lead teams through many service model trials and periods of transitioning, including Consumer Directed Care both in metropolitan and country areas.

Marilyn has also had experience managing a facility for indigenous elders and was a member of the Multicultural Aged Care Board for four years. Keeping up to date with the latest trends in Aged Care, Marilyn presents COTA's Peer Education Sessions related to My Aged Care. She is also a volunteer for COTA's Access and Information and Social Outreach programs and has registered with The Plug-in as an influencer.

Marilyn is a member of the Campbelltown Council Active Ageing Advisory Committee, has recently been appointed as an associate investigator of the Register of Senior Australians (ROSA) primary care research project at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and is a consumer representative on the ROSA Executive Committee.

Marjorie Schulze is a former pharmacist with tertiary qualifications in Public Policy and Management. She has considerable experience in governance in the not-for-profit sector specifically in disability, private health and aged care. She has particular interest in opportunities for the consumer voice as an influencer of public policy.

Dr Mike Rungie has specialised in understanding how people live well in their 70s, 80s and 90s, undertaking a variety of studies, research projects and service trials (including as a Visiting Scholar with Prof Wolf Wolfensberger, and a Churchill Fellowship).

He has led ACH Group in trialling service models that enable older people to not only receive high quality care, but in a way that enables high quality life (including ViTA — a teaching, re-enablement service for older people).

Dr Rungie currently works with a number of organisations and networks developing scalable strategies that have citizenship and productivity for older people at the centre of what they do.

Joining the COTA SA Policy Council in 2014, Dr Rungie also holds a number of board positions including Director of Global Centre for Modern Ageing (since 2018); Aged Care Financing Authority member (since 2016); Dunstan Foundation Social Capital Partners Group member (since 2017); Everyage Counts Coalition Steering Group member (auspiced by Benevolent Society) (since 2017); SAHMRI Wellbeing and Resilience Strategic Advisory Board Member (since 2015); SAHMRI external stakeholder reference group member (since 2014); Global Access Partners Standing Committee on Productive Ageing member (since 2018); Australian Aged Care Quality Agency quality and Innovation wards Panel member (since 2017); and Longevity 4.0 lead (since 2018).

Myrana is passionate about the written word, seniors’ issues, social equity/equality of opportunity, politics and history. Living in the Adelaide Hills with her retired teacher husband and elderly poodle, she is, like many seniors, deeply mindful of the importance of the environment and our changing climate.

In 2014, Myrana retired as Principal Policy Officer from the SA Government’s then Office for the Ageing. In that capacity, she served as lead writer for South Australia’s Ageing Plan 2014-2019 and accompanying elder abuse prevention policy/action plan Strategy to Safeguard the Rights of Older South Australians 2014-2021.

In 2017, Myrana served as lead writer and researcher for the parliamentary committee which produced the South Australian House of Assembly, Final Report of the Joint Committee on Matters Relating to Elder Abuse.

Myrana recently retired from ten years of Chairing National Seniors Australia’s (NSA’s) South Australian Policy Advisory Group. She remains an active member of the National Trust of SA, committed to identifying and protecting local heritage, contributes when possible to the development of political policy, and is daily involved in writing and editing.

For the past 42 years, Pam’s career (both in paid and unpaid capacity) has been in the areas of women’s health, sexual health, lesbian health and advocacy, gender based violence and gender equity. She worked at Women’s Health Statewide for 30 years and fulfilled many diverse roles.

Pam spent two years working as a Community Development and Gender Advisor with the Vietnam Women’s Union as an Australian volunteer for International development in Vietnam. Her team developed training programs to respond on all levels to gender based violence.

Since returning to Australia in 2017, Pam has continued to work as a training consultant with the Gender Consortium (Flinders University), and has provided training in Australia and in Vietnam in the areas of leadership, gender based violence issues, developing communication strategies, monitoring and evaluation and action project development.

Her understanding of the complex issues faced by the LGBTI community is informed by her lived experience and personal connections with members of that community as well as her volunteer and paid work experience. In 2017-19 Pam was an active member of the advisory committee of the COTA/SARA LGBTI Aging Well project and a team member of the LGBTI connect project at ECH that is a key aged care provider in South Australia.

Peter has an extensive background working in the South Australian public sector in environment policy and information technology in a career spanning 39 years. He was a member of the Oxfam Australia Board and its Risk and Finance committee for ten years, and the Chair of Oxfam Australia Trading for six years.

He has a particular interest in climate change mitigation and adaptation and the urgent nature of this work. This includes helping the community to grow more of its own food as a form of food security and protecting and extending our tree canopy as a way of adapting to a much hotter climate.

Reeva became a member of the Policy Council in November 2013 and since 2008 has been a volunteer for the Strength for Life Program conducting site checks. With more than 40 years of experience in the natural therapies industry as a Yoga Instructor, Remedial Massage Therapist, trainer/lecturer, owner and Principal of a massage training school, Reeva retired in 2008.

Through her clinical practice and conducting workshops with many organizations such as Parkinson's SA Inc. The Brain Injury Network, Muscular Dystrophy Association, Reeva has learned of the many difficulties people of all ages face in their daily lives and is keen to help and improve their quality of life particularly safe, affordable housing.

Over the years Reeva has served on many committees including the South Australian Massage Therapists Association (SAMTA) — President 1998–2002, Federation of Natural and Traditional Therapists Ltd as a Director and representative for SAMTA 1998–2002, Northern Adelaide Business Enterprise Centre 1998–2004, Executive and Board member. Since 2015, Reeva has been COTA SA's representative on the Australian Gas Infrastructure Group and in 2016 became a member of the Active Ageing Advisory Committee, Campbelltown City Council. She is also an influencer of modern ageing through COTA SA’s The Plug-in.

Sophia brings high level experience in government, consumer and business affairs from her previous work for the Commissioner and Minister for Consumer Affairs. Her work included promotion of law reform, legislative review and innovative regulatory arrangements to foster a cooperative approach by all parties to the resolution of consumer and business issues.

Stephen previously worked as an RN in the areas of aged care and mental health across inpatient, community and residential care settings. Achievements have included developing a visiting and remote consultation liaison service across country SA and the use of videoconferencing technology to provide consumer assessments and support for care staff in both the government and private sectors.

In his later working years, Stephen made the change to working with eLearning platforms and website management for a national dementia education provider, gaining an appreciation of the importance of accessible learning opportunities, for a wide and increasing audience.

Interests include life long learning, the promotion of wellbeing, social connections, combating ageism and developing skills to flourish during the predictable challenges of late life transitions.

With a rich professional background spanning Australia, the USA, and Canada, Trevor Elburn brings a wealth of experience to the Policy Council. His career has been marked by a dedication to serving diverse communities, including youth, adults, Aboriginal Elders, and individuals across various cultural, gender, and ability spectrums. Transitioning from this impactful community work, Trevor has found success in the realm of private property businesses.

Trevor's expertise extends across Adult Education and Training, Property Development, and Business Management, with a particular focus on projects tailored to the over 55 demographic. His academic journey, beginning with Social Work and expanding into Business and Property, culminated in Post Graduate qualifications in Adult Education from the University of South Australia.

Trevor is dedicated to serving the seniors demographic, providing essential training, business support, and industry services across governmental and non-governmental sectors. Recent endeavours include the development and facilitation of training courses and seminars in collaboration with key stakeholders.

Areas of Expertise:

• Management Services

• Educational Leadership

• Business Management

• Research & Administration

• Sales & Marketing

• Project Execution & HSE

• Staff Training & Leadership

• CRM & Issue Resolution

Beyond his professional endeavours, Trevor finds joy in performing music, playing sports, and outdoor activities such as cycling and sailing.

In essence, Trevor Elburn stands as a seasoned advisor and planner, adept at steering complex operations to successful fruition within budgetary constraints. His adept communication skills, coupled with a talent for developing training materials and leading staff activities, make him an invaluable asset to the COTA Policy Council.