Kate Swaffer

Kate Swaffer

Author and Advocate for Living Beyond Dementia. 2017 SA Finalist Australian of the Year

Kate Swaffer is a researcher, activist, consultant, author and keynote speaker. Kate is also one of 8 co-founders of Dementia Alliance International, a global support and advocacy charity for people diagnosed with any type of dementia. She is also a retired nurse, retired chef, and is currently a PhD candidate at the University of South Australia.

Since her own diagnosis of a rare young onset dementia aged 49, she has learned to live with it instead of waiting to die from it and has campaigned relentlessly for dementia to be supported as a condition causing disabilities. Kate is also a major catalyst for rehabilitation for all people with dementia, and for equal access to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) for the 57 million people living with dementia globally.

 

She’s made multiple statements and speeches at the United Nations and World Health Organisation and is the first person with dementia to be an invited speaker at the WHO.  Kate is also an Ambassador for the ADC (SA) and for Step Up For Dementia Research in Australia.

 

Availability:  Any area of the state

 

Meet our Ambassadors

Ranielson Santana

Inclusion Advocate & Community Leader

Ranielson Santana’s journey from Recife, Brazil to Australia exemplifies resilience and dedication. Arriving in 2018 as an international student with English as his third language, Ranielson faced significant challenges.

Gill Golding

South Australian Citizen of the Year 2024

Gill is an inspirational leader who feels the pulse of her community in Hackham West and the hardship it faces as a low socio-economic area ranking in the top 3 percentile of disadvantaged suburbs nationally, with significant levels of disadvantage across a myriad of social indicators.

Glyn Scott

Founder, Love Hope & Gratitude Foundation, 2024 SA Senior Australian Of The Year Nominee

Glyn Scott survived years of violence and sexual abuse – first as a child and later in her first marriage. In 2006, Glyn gave evidence to the Children in State Care Commission of Inquiry about her childhood experience of sexual abuse.

Alexandra Seal

Young Citizen of the Year 2024

Alexandra is a dedicated and passionate advocate for social justice, community service and environmental sustainability, demonstrating active citizenship and enhancement of community life through various platforms, both within and without her school.

Kylan Beech

Young Citizen of the Year 2024

Just before Kylan Beech’s 14th birthday, he lost his mother, Tammy, to cancer. Rather than focusing on his grief, Kylan became determined to help ensure others would not have to experience the same tragedy.

Stella Braund

Mental Health and Social Justice Advocate and nominee for South Australian of the Year 2024

Stella Braund uses her lived experience of childhood domestic violence and sexual assault -at home and in institutional settings – to improve people’s lives.
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