Alzheimer’s Australia Reveals Buttrose Replacement
7 July 2014 at 12:12 pm
Graeme Samuel, former Alzheimer’s Australia Victoria Board chair, will be replacing high-profile media personality Ita Buttrose as Alzheimer’s Australia’s National President.
Samuel comes into the role having been President of the National Competition Council for six years, Chairman of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission for nine years, Commissioner of the Australian Football League, and Chairman of the Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust.
“I am honored to follow in the footsteps of Ita Buttrose, whose vision and commitment as National President has contributed so much to the power of Alzheimer’s Australia over the past three years,” Samuel said.
“It is a measure of Ita’s commitment and vision that dementia is now on the national agenda as a National Health Priority Area. Great achievements have been the additional funding to improve dementia care in the 2012 aged care reforms and the commitment made in the 2014 Budget to $200 million over five years for dementia research.
“I am delighted that Ita has agreed to continue her advocacy as National Ambassador to Alzheimer’s Australia. This is a celebration not a farewell.”
In 1998, Samuel was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and in 2010 was elevated to a Companion in the General Division of the Order of Australia for eminent service to public administration through contributions in the area of economic reform and competition law.
“This cause is very close to my heart. I know first hand the impact of this chronic disease on the person and their family,” Samuel said.
“As National President it will be a privilege to advocate for people with dementia as well as their families and carers, and to continue to advocate for better access to dementia services and for research into the detection, prevention and cure of the disease.”
Brian Roche, Public Trustee of Western Australia, will assume Graeme Samuel’s role as Vice-President of Alzheimer’s Australia.
“We are delighted that Graeme has agreed to take on the role of National President and to lead the organisation in building on what has been achieved in recent years,” Glenn Rees, CEO Alzheimer’s Australia, said.
“His expertise in law, economics, business, communications and media, corporate governance and change management brings a wealth of experience to the organisation.”
