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The Future of Dementia Prevention, Research and Care.

Date: Thursday 5 June 2025

Time: 2.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Tickets: Reserve your free Public Lecture tickets HERE.

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PUBLIC LECTURE

This Public Lecture is sponsored by Alzheimer’s Research Australia (ARA).

The Australian Dementia Research Forum is the premier annual event that brings together dementia researchers, health professionals, policy makers, and people living with dementia and their families  and carers to discuss the latest research, innovations and best practices in dementia.

 

We are thrilled to welcome Maggie Beer, AO, and Prof Sharon Naismith, AM, as our special guest speakers at the Australian Dementia Research Forum Public Lecture, sharing their insights and passion for health and wellness. Held on Day 3 of ADRF, this new addition opens the door for everyone to gain accessible insights into the latest dementia research. 

 

Discover the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s disease research, treatments, and practical strategies to potentially reduce your risk of developing the disease. 

 

Join us for a relaxed afternoon tea, complete with opportunities to connect with our expert speakers, participate in discussions, and ask questions.

 

This lecture is a free, in-person event, sponsored by Alzheimer’s Research Australia.

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Maggie Beer, AO and Professor Ralph Martins, AO

ADRF2025 Convenor and Director of Research & Founder, Alzheimer’s Research Australia

SPEAKERS

Maggie Beer, AO

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​Maggie Beer AO is a celebrated Australian chef, food author, restaurateur, and food manufacturer.


She grew up in Sydney's western suburbs, where her parents, faced financial challenges, leading them to reinvent themselves as caterers. This environment fostered Maggie's strong work ethic and passion for food from an early age.

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In 1973, Maggie and her husband, Colin Beer, relocated to the Barossa Valley in South Australia with the ambition of breeding game birds. This venture evolved into the establishment of the Pheasant Farm Restaurant, which became a cornerstone of Australian culinary history. In 1991, the restaurant was honoured with the Remy Martin Cognac – Australian Gourmet Traveller Restaurant of the Year award.

 

Beyond her restaurant success, Maggie has authored numerous cookbooks, including Maggie's Harvest and Maggie's Recipe for Life. The latter was co-authored with Professor Ralph Martins AO, Director of Research at Alzheimer's Research Australia, and integrates Maggie’s culinary expertise with Professor Martins’ groundbreaking research. The book highlights the critical role of diet and lifestyle in brain health, offering practical guidance to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.

 

In 2014, Maggie founded the Maggie Beer Foundation, aiming to improve the quality of food in aged care homes across Australia. Her collaboration with Professor Martins further exemplifies her commitment to enhancing the well-being of older Australians, blending her passion for nutritious, flavourful food with cutting-edge research to advocate for better health outcomes.

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Throughout her illustrious career, Maggie has received numerous accolades, including being named Senior Australian of the Year in 2010 and being appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2022 for her distinguished service to the tourism and hospitality industries.

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Professor Sharon Naismith, AM, FASSA


Prof Sharon Naismith is a Clinical Neuropsychologist, National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Leadership II Fellow and holds the Leonard P Ullman Chair in Psychology at the University of Sydney.


She leads the Australian Dementia Network Memory Clinics Initiative, aiming to improve equity of access and improved health services for older Australians experiencing cognitive decline and dementia. This includes pioneering projects testing virtual memory clinics for regional and rural Australians, taking cognitive interventions into practice and testing the rollout of new blood biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease.


Prof Naismith also leads an NHMRC Synergy Program ‘SIESTA” which focuses on sleep in Alzheimer’s disease. Using gold-standard assessment methods, she is examining how factors such as sleep duration, nighttime awakenings and changes in sleep timing are key for long term brain health. She is also developing and testing new sleep treatments and is devising new ways of assessing and treating sleep disturbance in the memory clinic.

Further details on the other speakers will be forthcoming.

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