The DIBA Commitee
A group of dedicated volunteers oversighting the Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance.
Scroll down to read a profile of individual committee members…
The DIBA Committee
Committee members may be contacted by emailing: admin@dementiainclusiveballina.org.au
Anne Moehead, OAM PSM
Chair
Anne has been a registered nurse for 45 years, working across a number of settings, specializing in the field of Psychogeriatrics / Dementia. She became the first Nurse Practitioner Psychogeriatrics in Australia in 2006. She developed innovative nursing models of care across the acute care sector, delivering an online dementia training education program across NSW to over 11,000 clinicians and has contributed to a number of national best practice clinical guidelines and policies in regards to dementia/ delirium care.
Anne was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in 2006 for services to dementia care and in 2021 the Public Service medal: for providing exceptional service to NSW Health since 1973. Specialising in the nursing of dementia and psychogeriatrics, she is regarded by nurses and health professionals, locally and nationally, as a leader, mentor and expert in dementia and delirium care.
Anne currently works part time as a Nurse Practitioner in Primary Health Care and the Aged Care Sector.
Val Schache
Co-Chair
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Meg Pickup
Secretary
Meg is a retired educator who has a strong sense of community and social justice. Her interest in improving the quality of life for people living with dementia and carers arose from her role as the carer of a family member with the condition.
Kelli
Potts
Treasurer
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Dr Louise Horstmanshof
Ordinary member – Research
BA, GradDipApPsych, MOrgPsych, PhD
Louise works in the Faculty of Health at Southern Cross University. Her research activity includes the preparation of the future health workforce and psychological issues of life transitions. Recent work focuses on the health and wellbeing of older adults.
Her work on dementia health literacy is cited in the WHO Health Evidence Network Synthesis Report 65. With colleagues, Louise also completed an evidence check rapid review brokered by the Sax Institute for Dementia Training Australia. This review focused on workforce education and training standards for dementia.
Dr Sabrina Pit
Ordinary member – Grants
GradCert Teaching (Higher Education), Dip (WHS), MSc, PhD (Health Behaviour)
Sabrina works as a consultant in the area of Ageing Societies, Ageing and Rural Workforce, Human Resources Management, and Digital Health. She has published 88 peer reviewed papers, including on evaluations of state-wide dementia workforce online training courses, the use of International Standards to improve ageing societies, and systematic reviews on online dementia training and international dementia workforce training standards. Sabrina was an Expert Member in the development of the International Standard on Dementia Inclusive Communities of the International Organization for Standardization Technical (2018 – 2022).
Sabrina coordinates the Dementia Inclusive Ballina grants, writes grants, and conducts program evaluations for Dementia Inclusive Ballina. Sabrina is passionate about carers and people living with dementia having fun and connecting with people locally, and raising the awareness of what others can do to help.
Gabrielle Rodda
Ordinary member
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Sue Hetherington
Ordinary member
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Mel O’Reilly
Ordinary member
Mel is a Physiotherapist with over 20 years of clinical experience. She is the Team Leader of the NNSWLHD Dementia Outreach Service. Mel brings a knowlege of the supports and services that are available for People Living with Dementia and their advocates. She is passionate about PLWD continuing to live physically and socially active lives.
Dr Robert G Lingard
Ordinary member
BSc(Hons), BD, PhD
Robert is a social researcher with Southern Cross University, and holds an Adjunct position in the Faculty of Health. He brings his experience in adult education, chaplaincy, and laboratory science to the committee. Robert gives oversight to the DIBA website.