Glenn Rees and Kate Swaffer: Alzheimer’s Australia Christmas Party 2014
On Tuesday evening this week I had the privilege and great honour of attending the official function to farewell Glenn Rees from Alzheimer’s Australia, although he dioes not foinish in his post for another week. Of all the people in the world I have met, Glenn Rees is the only one who truly engages with people with dementia and family carers, as equals, and as having valid voices in the conversations about them. He has never patronised, nor used us in a tokenistic way, and I barely have the words to express my gratitude and thanks to him.
Graeme Samuel, our new President made a speech, and Ita Buttrose who stepped down as President not long ago made a very moving speech as well. It was clear she was deeply moved by Glenn’s unwavering passion for improving the lives of people with dementia, and their time working together and their friendship. Ron Sinclair, a consumer (family carer) made a humourous speech about the baby elephant that was the Consumer’s Dementia Research Network, and Ron had been the Chair of that group for four years.
Although unscripted and unplanned, I made a short personal speech, and also spoke as Chair of the Dementia Advisory Committee, and also co-chair if the CRDN and co-founder of Dementia Alliance International (DAI). Mostly, I spoke from my heart, as without Glenn’s vision and commitment, much of the work I have done, and achievements we have made may not have taken place in my lifetime without his unfailing support and friendship.
It has been a great honour and privilege to work with Glenn, and to call him my friend, and I for one will miss Glenn at Alzheimer’s Australia. However I am more than delighted that now Alzheimer’s Disease International are working with DAI to be the peak body for people with dementia, of which I will be a co-chair next year… and, Glenn takes on the role as Chair of ADI next April, (he is currently Chair-elect), so I will continue to work with him in some way.
Lucky me is all I have to say about that!
Kate – where was the meeting? Were you in Sydney??!!
And what will you co-chair? Congratulations!!! Tell us more!!
see my last reply to your comment… xx
wow …… you are going to be co-chair? Of which organisation? (I couldn’t understand) ….. Congratulations!! I hope you love it 🙂
PS – where was the official function? In Sydney?
I was in Canberra last week, then Kiama for two days. FYI, I am Chair of the Alzheimer’s Australia Dementia Advisory Committee, co-chair of the Alzheimer’s Australia Consumer’s Dementia Research network, and currently Editor and Secretary for Dementia Alliance International, but Chair elect for them, as take on that roleon 1 January 2015. Glenn’s farewell was in Canberra, as was teh public lecture and dinner with Dr Gillings, the World Dementia Envoy.
A true gentleman and champion for people with dementia, ADI will be blessed, as are you Kate to be able to continue your friendship and productive working union with Glenn. I will watch good things follow this move. x
He has shone his brilliance and good work in Australia, and now the rest of the world needs him.. x
Well said Kate. And I’m sure we’ll catch up Glenn.
yep, he’s looking for a casual job for three days a week, and said he thinks he’d enjoy working with you!!
Great post Kate. Just think what will be achieved with Glenn on board too. Xx
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I am so lucky to be able to continue to work with him… he has become such a mentor, friend, and has even managed to turn me into a Diplomat (well, almost!!).