Get to know the Senior Victorians Advisory Committee

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.

Meet some of the Committee members

Meet 3 of the Committee members below. We look forward to sharing more Committee member interviews in upcoming editions.

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.

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.

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 will continue 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.

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 Conversations' podcast with Golden Days Radio host Peter Thomas.