About Us


The DFC was established to develop the first dementia friendly community in NSW, here in Port Macquarie.

At the end of 2012, several individuals assembled to discuss the challenges facing our local communities in response to the increasing prevalence of dementia within our population. Since then the group has grown exponentially.


The Dementia Friendly Community (DFC) is currently made up of people living with dementia and family carers along with enthusiastic volunteers and members of our community. 

Representatives from businesses, social groups, churches, local and state government, service organisations and aged care services, have all come together to help provide actionable solutions to the challenges and concerns created by these circumstances.


Dementia-friendly communities focus on improving the community inclusion and quality of life for people living with dementia.


We welcome other individuals and groups to join and share their enthusiasm and experiences. Please email us at [email protected] for more information.

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Our Team


Our Team

“I would love to see Port Macquarie and surrounds become a more inclusive and accessible community for all people. If we can contribute to it being more dementia friendly then everyone in the community will benefit”

- Julie Dunn, Just Better Care Mid North Coast.

“I joined to help our community be more dementia aware so as to support caregivers and those living with dementia”

- Karen Dubois, Full time caregiver of a loved one living with dementia.


“I joined to help explain what it's like to care for someone with dementia. To assist with ideas for educating the public and businesses about people with dementia. Also to encourage those in important positions in creating a DFC in Port Macquarie and surrounding areas”

- Kerry West, Carer of husband with Vascular Dementia. Mother and Grandmother. CEO Fruit Salad Tree Company.

“I have been a member for many years. Worked with people with dementia and past carer for family member with dementia”

- Gai McPherson, Retired Dementia Nurse Consultant. Currently private consultancy Dementia and Age Care standards.


“I have a special interest in Montessori methods for dementia care. I am focused on creating a DFC from a professional and personal perspective, having worked in this field in several locations including Port Macquarie and the experience with family relatives including my mother living with dementia.”

- Margaret Allen, Registered Nurse, M.N. (Clinical Gerontology) Dementia Consultant. Retired.

“I joined the DFC to share how I live well with Alzheimer’s and to support our community to better
understand ways in which they can support people living with dementia.”

- Nell Hawe, Dementia Advocate

“I joined to give insight about dementia from someone who is currently living with dementia. I feel that too many decisions have been made, at all levels, without considering our input.”

- Graeme Atkins, currently living with dementia. Dementia Alliance International.

“I am passionate at a personal and professional level about contributing to developing Dementia Friendly Communities”

- Sharen Marshall, Registered Nurse and TAFENSW Head teacher for Health Aged Care and Nursing. Sharen holds a Masters Health Science (Healthy Ageing and Aged Care) and Masters in Vocational Education and training degrees.

“I became involved with the DFC 2 years ago when I worked for Dementia Australia in Port Macquarie. I am a social worker who has worked in many community services but started my working career as a community development worker. I believe the best possible health and wellbeing outcomes for any group within our community can only be achieved when the broader community has sufficient awareness and commitment to become involved and contribute to the wellbeing of members of that group.”

- Mike Sheargold, previously a Dementia Support Specialist with Dementia Australia.

“It’s my passion to build inclusive and connected communities, which offer continual opportunities for people living with dementia and their care partners to experience unique and meaningful experiences. As a member of the DFC, together we are in the position to push for change and work towards reducing the stigma surrounding dementia in our local communities, one step at a time.”

- Lisa Hort, Creative Engagement and Ageing Specialist, TimeSlips, Creative Storying Certified Facilitator and Founder of Unique Collaborations

“With my community members living with dementia, I love to help reduce the stigma around being diagnosed with dementia in the best way I know how, which is to amplify word of mouth through social media.”

- Emma Walker, Social media director at Gem Socials.

“I joined to be involved in the promotion of dementia friendly services and environments within the Port Macquarie community”

- Jade Sinclair, 18 years in aged and community care industry. Trained in Montessori for dementia. Omnicare.

“Not only is it my role it is also my passion to support our community and be in a position to help others. I was invited to join the DFC when it was originally launched as a representative of Clubs. It is important to have this connection as Clubs play such a vital role in the community.”

- Jenny Edmunds, Community & Sports Manager at The Westport Club.

“It is my hope that over time the Dementia Friendly Alliance will be instantly recognised by the local community for it's role in creating Dementia Awareness. 
Knowledge is power - be informed on what it means to be living with Dementia”

- Sarah Ashton, Dementia Advocate, member of the National Advisory Committee for Dementia Australia, member of Lions and National Seniors.

“My role at Omnicare Alliance is Montessori Support Champion. I support the staff through their WISER Competency, run WISER Carer Training and WISER Carer Chat Groups, supporting people living with dementia. With my work I see many carers and people living with dementia self isolating because they are not understood in the community, they don't feel safe and I would like to see a community that is caring and thoughtful towards all people especially those with dementia”.

- Kaye Lilley, Montessori Support Champion, Omnicare Alliance.

“My role as an Audiologist and a parent of 2 young boys has increased my awareness of the need for better communication and understanding within our community. I feel there is a drive for Port Macquarie to become a place known for friendliness and inclusivity. I am a recent member of the DFC and also the caretaker of some of our social media platforms. My role gives me opportunities to research, read and discover so much more about dementia and how we can address the needs of people living with dementia in our community. I’m enjoying being part of this alliance and the growth that we have already seen so far!”

- Vanessa Bushe, Audiologist at Amplex Hearing with 20 years experience working on areas of Paediatric and Specialist Adult hearing care for people living with dementia and/or special needs.

“I joined to give back to the community”

- Kellon Beard, Regional Manager Business NSW

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