2026 Regional and Remote Summit - Program and Speakers

Program overview

Aged Care Futures: People, Purpose and Progress

Delivering equitable care across regional, rural and remote Australia

Australia’s regional, rural and remote communities face unique opportunities and challenges in delivering aged care. The 2026 Regional and Remote Summit brings together sector leaders, clinicians, providers, government and community representatives to explore practical solutions, innovative service models and collaborative approaches that improve outcomes for older Australians, regardless of where they live.

People

Supporting the workforce, communities and partnerships that make quality care possible.

Purpose

Delivering person-centred, culturally safe and compassionate care at every stage of ageing.

Progress

Driving innovation, collaboration and practical solutions to improve access and outcomes, regardless of geography.

2026 Regional and Remote Summit Program
Tuesday 1 September 2026
8am - 9am	Registration opens and arrival tea and coffee
9am - 9.10am	Conference Opening Liz Behjat, Director of Government Relations, Ageing Australia
9.10am - 9.15am	Welcome to Country Yvonne Odegaard, Senior Elder of the Cubillo Odegaard Larrakia Family
9.15am - 9.45am	Ageing Australia CEO Address Why regional aged care matters Tom Symondson, Chief Executive Officer, Ageing Australia
9.45am - 10.15am	Caring for community: Culture, connection and the future of care Professor Christine Fejo-King, PhD Aboriginal Social Worker, Researcher, Author and Cultural Advisor Setting the tone for the day, Professor Christine Fejo-King reflects on the importance of culture, kinship, community and connection in shaping how we care for people. Drawing on her experience and perspective, Christine will explore what it means to listen to communities, build genuine partnerships and ensure people and culture remain at the heart of how services are designed and delivered.
10.15am - 10.20am	Gold Sponsor Address Anthony Kotsonis, Business Relationship and Engagement Manager, HESTA
10.20am - 10.50am	Morning Tea and Networking
10.55am - 11.25am	Home Matters: Lessons from Palliative and Aged Care in the NT Sarah Begley, Clinical Nurse Consultant, Danila Dilba Health Service Palliative Care Australia, Deputy Chair and Palliative Care Northern Territory Executive Committee What does community palliative and aged care look like in the Northern Territory, and where are the gaps? Drawing on experience from community aged and palliative care and conversations with palliative care nurses across the NT, this session explores the realities of providing care across vast distances, with limited services and diverse communities. Sarah will also reflect on why supporting people to remain at home and in their community, when that is where they want to be, is both a privilege and an important goal of care.
11.25am - 12.05pm	Panel: Future of Regional Ageing Maddy Bower, Lecturer, Indigenous Health, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Fred Marrone, Council of Elders Joy Scott, Clinical Governance and Risk Manager, Australian Regional and Remote Community Services (ARRCS) Susan Williams, State Manager, Client Services, Dementia Australia Moderator: Tom Symondson, Chief Executive Officer, Ageing Australia Regional and remote Australia requires different approaches to how care is designed and delivered. Bringing together perspectives from older people, Indigenous health and regional aged care, this discussion explores what equitable access should look like and how we can better support people to age well in their own communities. The conversation will consider culturally safe and locally led approaches, workforce and service delivery challenges, quality care, and the role of innovation and collaboration in overcoming distance and geography.
12.05pm - 12.35pm	The Territory opportunity: Building stronger services and communities across regional and remote Australia Luke Gosling OAM, MP, Federal Member for Solomon
12.35pm - 1.25pm	Lunch and Networking
1.30pm – 2pm	Growing and sustaining the regional workforce Andrew Hayward, Principal Advisor Workforce, Ageing Australia Ida Fjelldal, Workforce And Skills Officer, Industry Skills Advisory Council Northern Territory (ISACNT) Exploring practical workforce strategies that strengthen recruitment, retention and capability across regional and remote aged care.
2pm – 2.40pm	Shared spotlight session: Integrated models of care Ana Malupo, Manager Aged Care & Community Services, Mala'la Health Service Aboriginal Corporation Emma Dumbrell, CEO, Yaandina Community Services Moderator: Gabriella Jerrat, State Director WA/NT, Ageing Australia Hear different provider perspectives showcasing innovative, community-led approaches that are improving care outcomes across regional and remote Australia.
2.40pm – 3.20pm	Panel discussion: A good end for everyone: Supporting choice, rights and dignity wherever you live Sue Shearer, CEO, COTA NT Beth Walker, Public Guardian and Public Trustee, Northern Territory Douglas Bender, Financial Advocate, Seniors Rights Service, Darwin Community Legal Service Gail Marsh, Chair/Director, Carers NT Moderator: Kelly Clark, Chairperson, Palliative Care NT (PCNT) Top End Branch, Palliative Care NT What does it take to ensure people are supported to make informed choices and have their wishes respected as they approach the end of life? This discussion explores advance care planning, supported decision-making, advocacy and safeguarding, cultural considerations, and the partnerships needed to deliver compassionate, person-centred care across regional and remote communities.
3.20pm – 3.40pm	Afternoon Tea and Networking
3.45pm – 4.25pm	Panel discussion: What makes regional services work Sallyann Innes, CEO, Master Builders Savio Furtado,  Regional Health Partnerships Manager at NT Primary Health Network, Northern Territory PHN  Paula Gelo, Executive Director ANZ, H/Advisors ANZ Moderator: Maria Davison, CEO, Melville Cares Delivering sustainable services in regional and remote communities takes more than a strong service model. This discussion explores the infrastructure, partnerships, commissioning and local engagement needed to make regional services work. Panellists will consider how organisations can work differently across sectors, respond to local needs and build service models that are sustainable, connected and fit for regional communities.
4.25pm – 4.35pm	Closing Remarks and Reflections Liz Behjat, Director of Government Relations, Ageing Australia
4.35pm - 5.35pm	Networking Hour Unwind after a full day of conference and continue the conversation. Connect with peers, speakers and industry partners in a relaxed setting. Share insights, spark new ideas and build valuable relationships before the day wraps up.

Disclaimer: Please note that this conference program is subject to revisions and updates. While every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy, changes may
occur prior to the event. Attendees are encouraged to regularly check for updates on the conference website. Thank you for your understanding.

People

Purpose

Progress

Tuesday 1 September 2026