Meet Gwenda Darling, member of the Council of Elders
Gwenda Darling is a member of the Aged Care Council of Elders. The council provides advice to the government about aged care and ageing well. Council members engage with older people about changes to aged care.
Gwenda has had a varied career, with more than 50 years' experience in government and non-government organisations.
Gwenda is a Palawa woman and proudly served the First Nations communities in which she has lived and worked. Gwenda's roles have included Chief Executive Officer of Anaiwan Aboriginal Land Council, Chairperson of Gandangarra Local Aboriginal Land Council and Director of Hunter Aboriginal Children's Services.
Her personal and professional experience ignited a passion for justice for Elders within the aged care system. "I'm passionate about every Australian being able to age well in their own homes," said Gwenda.
Gwenda maintains an active and productive life and is happy living at home independently with her assistance dog, Redleigh. Gwenda accesses home care services and is supported by care workers who visit her at home.
"Redleigh and I make a good team," shared Gwenda. "She is a great support to me and we're never far from each other's sides."
Having seen firsthand the need for safe, respectful and trauma-informed care for First Nations people, Gwenda is an influential voice for choice and control over one's health and aged care.
In 2012, aged in her late 50s, Gwenda was diagnosed with younger onset (behavioural-variant frontotemporal) dementia. "My diagnosis doesn't define me," said Gwenda. "I am determined to live the best life I can."
Gwenda participates in dementia research and is a dementia advocate alongside her other work in the community. "I'm very proud that I've had the opportunity to be a voice for so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that I've encountered and other community members, particularly those living people with dementia," she said.
Gwenda has been a member of the Council of Elders since its inception in 2021. She said, "I've had the opportunity to be involved in discussions and consultations that I would never have had the opportunity to have otherwise."
Watch Gwenda's video to find out more about her interest in aged care, dementia and the role of the Council of Elders:
My name is Gwenda Darling, and I'm a member of the Council of Elders. I’m a proud Palawa woman currently living in Wiradjuri Nation.
I was diagnosed with younger onset frontotemporal dementia in 2013. The dementia diagnosis changed my life. I had to give up my job as a child protection social worker. It impacted my family and I actually went home and went to bed and gave up on life. Thanks to the aged care package, I was able to get transport because I had to relinquish my driver's license. I've been able to get other services to allow me to age well at home. I was able to transfer my skills as a social worker to the aged care space and I joined Dementia Australia as an advocate. I'm now on the Dementia Australia Advisory Council and also on the National Older Person's Reference Group for OPAN.
The changes to aged care matter because it will impact not only me but future Australians and we must get it right. I'm passionate about every Australian being able to age well in their own homes.
I feel so proud that a lot of the things that I said, including worker regulation and registration, were included in the proposed new Aged Care Act. And I've also had the opportunity to join in discussions and consultations that I would never have had the opportunity to have before.
I'm also very proud of the fact that I've had the opportunity to be the voice for so many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that I've encountered and other community members, particularly those living with dementia.
To keep up-to-date with the aged care reforms and the work of the council, visit the Aged Care Council of Elders Facebook page or webpage.
Let's change aged care, together
Every Australian should feel confident about accessing high quality and safe aged care, when and where they need it.
The changes mean Older people will have greater choice and control, services that respect and meet their needs, and support to stay independent as they age.
To find out more and help design the changes, visit the Get Involved page or call 1800 318 209.