About the Senior Victorians Advisory Committee
The Senior Victorians Advisory Committee was formed in 2024. The Committee provides a voice to the government on the lived experiences of older Victorians.
The Committee has 8 community members, including the Chairperson, and 4 sector members. The Committee members reflect the diversity and lived experience of older Victorians.
The Committee members work together to:
- share their insights with government on policy and programs
- guide the implementation of the Ageing Well Action Plan 2022-2026
- the Committee will serve a three-year term, ending at the end of 2027.
Members of the Committee have been interviewed by Peter Thomas from Golden Days Radio. Catch up on the Golden Days Radio ‘Council on the Ageing Victoria Conversations’ segment .
Read about Committee members below.
Meet some of the Committee members
Associate Professor Sue Harrison OAM (Chair)
Sue is passionate about ensuring an informed rural voice on the Committee. Sue has lived experience as a carer for her quadriplegic husband, parents and father-in-law. Sue has a 40-year career in rural health as a generalist doctor and medical university educator.
'Senior Victorians are an increasing proportion of our communities, and certainly in rural communities, they make up a bigger proportion than in metropolitan areas,' Sue says.
'Our goal [on the Committee] is to provide advice from a number of different perspectives. The make-up of the Committee is very diverse, representing not only geographical diversity but representing other diversity cross the community.'
Through her contributions to the Committee, Sue aims to highlight the experiences of rural older Victorians. Access to transport, healthcare, technology and connectivity are some issues Sue sees in her community.
Brenda Appleton OAM
Brenda is a transgender woman who is passionate about LGBTIQA+ representation on the Committee. Brenda is a leader and tireless advocate for trans and gender diverse communities in Victoria. Brenda has extensive experience on committees and taskforces. She also brings over 35 years professional experience in corporate roles. Brenda was the first transgender person in Australia to be appointed chair of a ministerial advisory committee.
'I'm an awesome proud trans woman. I've been advocating for human rights, for LGBTI, but particularly trans and gender diverse for nearly 30 years in Melbourne and my work's not yet done,' Brenda says.
By joining the Committee, Brenda is continuing her advocacy for older Victorians.
'I'm very keen to continue to use my lived experience to try and make it easier for those that are coming behind, particularly in rural and regional areas,' Brenda says.
Dr Chukwudozie (Dozie) Ezigbalike
Dozie is a Nigerian man living in Melbourne who advocates for older people from new and emerging migrant communities. Dozie has first-hand experience and interest in issues for older people such as social isolation, health and wellbeing.
Dozie is Secretary of the Nigerian Senior Citizens Club of Victoria. He is also a member of the Igbo Association of Victoria and parent member of his local school council. ‘What I hope is to contribute is bringing the voice of the new and emerging communities into the policy making level of government,’ Dozie says.
Key issues Dozie identifies include healthcare, digital access, financial security and social isolation.
Jan Laidlaw
Jan is a passionate advocate for older people’s access to information, services and transport. Jan is a single parent and survivor of family violence. Jan served as mayor and long-standing councillor in the City of Newtown (now City of Greater Geelong). Her professional experiences span education, employment services and libraries.
Jan brings her lived and professional experiences to the Committee. She is passionate about increasing access to information about aged care support.
‘I think it’s very important in terms of equity that older Australians should be able to access hard copies, in print, information and forms… to be able to enrol and be part of MyAgedCare,’ Jan says.
Linette Harriott
Linette is passionate about ensuring all older people are treated with dignity and respect. Linette’s professional experience spans over 40 years as a coach, counsellor, trainer educator and manager in community organisations and welfare services for sexual assault and family violence.
‘I’m looking forward to voicing my opinion, maybe putting forward some alternatives… and break down some of the stereotypes that are around about older Victorians,’ Linette says.
Linette lives with an invisible disability that affects her mobility. She also brings her lived experience as a carer for her parents to the Committee.
‘There’s a really large proportion of older Victorians who have some invisible disabilities who then find it hard to get around. For me, that’s one of the things I’d like to talk about – how do we make our world that bit more accessible for everyone,’ Linette says.
Linette identifies as part of the LGBTIQA+ community. Through her role in the Committee, Linette would like to explore ways to increase support and inclusion for older LGBTIQA+ Victorians.
‘I feel like there’s some work to be done in our rural communities to make LGBTIQA+ people able to live healthy and happy lives, and feel safe and accepted in the community. I think it’s really important that we embrace difference,’ Linette says.
Mariamma (Maria) John
Maria is a woman of Indian heritage living in regional Victoria. Maria is passionate about seniors being independent, active, healthy and happy.
Maria is a dedicated volunteer in the Ballarat area. She helps older people to access information and services, keep active and join in cultural celebrations.
'I came from India nearly 40 years ago. I'm a retired teacher. I’m now living in Ballarat and doing a lot of community work, volunteering, reaching out to everyone, doing all sorts of stuff, keeping myself busy,' Maria says.
As a Committee member, Maria aims to be a voice for the experiences of older Victorians.
'I want to be the voice for them to reach out to the government, to the Minister and say these are the needs of the people,' Maria says.
Van Pho
Van arrived in Australia as a refugee from Vietnam in 1982. Van is the President of the Federation of Vietnamese Associations in Victoria. He formerly was Secretary-General for the Vietnamese Community in Australia’s Victorian chapter.
Van is passionate about advocating for seniors' mental health and independent living.
‘I’ve had very good careers in this area. I was what they call a crisis counsellor for Lifeline before. And I did work for a company after retirement that engaged me as a counsellor,’ Van says.
Van promotes maintaining family and community connections as we age.
More information
Read more about the Committee.
Listen to the full interviews on the Golden Days Radio and Council on the Ageing Victoria's 'COTA with Golden Days Radio host Peter Thomas.
Reviewed 31 August 2025