The 2025 Australian of the Year Nominees from NSW with Finley's Kath Koschel (back left) and Gwenda Darling and assistance dog Redleigh (front left) at the NSW Governor's House.
Finley’s Gwenda Darling has found herself listed among the best of them, as one of four nominees in the 2025 NSW Senior Australian of the Year.
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While won by TV personality Dr Karl Kruszelnicki AM, Mrs Darling was in good company, with the other nominees being Professor Michelle Haber AM and Aunty Glendra Stubbs OAM.
Mrs Darling, a Palawa woman, was diagnosed with younger onset frontotemporal dementia and participates in dementia research.
She is actively involved with the Aged Care Council of Elders, Older Persons Advocacy Network and Dementia Australia and advocates for the human rights and dignity of all older Australians.
She said the work she does and her appearances on TV shows and current affairs programs such as You Can’t Ask That, Insight and The Drum, as well as initiatives with the Australia Chamber Orchestra, are to de-stigmatise dementia and ageing well.
“I volunteer in everything I do, and I feel I’ve got to give back.
“I was diagnosed 13 years ago in January, and in spite of the diagnosis I was given I feel like I’ve got to publicly show what dementia looks like.
“Not all people with dementia are the same. There are more than 150 types.”
The Aged Care Council of Elders was established in 2021, and it advises the Australian Federal Government about aged care reform following the Royal Commission into Aged Care and the new Aged Care Act.
“I’m passionately fighting and advocating to ensure that the older person’s voice is heard, and their human rights are upheld,” Mrs Darling said of her role there.
“I’m fighting for elderly rights, the right to intimacy, the right to healthy nutrition and the right to shower and hygienic practices.
“The fastest growing age group for STIs is people over 60 and a lot of people don’t know that.
“Another issue I’m fighting for is transport in regional and rural areas. The nearest Coles is Deniliquin, Woolworths is Cobram and then for (major) medical services nearest is Albury or Shepparton.
“I want to let people know anybody with any health condition over 65 is entitled to apply for an aged care number, and packages can allow people to live well in residential aged care.”
Mrs Darling, who has called Finley home for eight years, attended the announcement ceremony in Sydney last Wednesday with her assistance dog Redleigh.
The formalities included a morning tea with the Governor of NSW and other nominees in her award category, and others.
Mrs Darling also met Governor of NSW Margaret Beazley and her husband Dennis Wilson and Premier Chris Minns, before attending the ceremony at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Circular Quay.
“There were supposedly thousands of nominations, but I don’t know who nominated me,” Mrs Darling said.
“The ceremony was very highbrow and there were a lot of esteemed people.
“It was a bit weird and not really for me as I’m just a volunteer, but it was wonderful to be nominated alongside such amazing people.”
NSW Senior Australian of the Year nominee Gwenda Darling with her new assistance dog Redleigh and Department of Health and Aged Care staff at the awards ceremony last week.
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