Lunch & Learn: Stand Up, Speak Out - A conversation on courage, rights and reform

Lunch & Learn sessions are a platform for EAAA members to share insights, projects and research. 

In June, EAAA convened a special panel discussion with three of Australia's most respected voices in advocacy and human rights – Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald, Dr Kay Patterson and Russell Westacott. This event is a lead-in to both our 2026 conference which is themed Stand Up, Speak Out and World Elder Abuse Action Day on 15 June.

Across their distinguished careers, each has stood up for those whose voices are often unheard, championing rights, calling for reform and driving social change.

In this hour-long conversation moderated by Vivian Schenker, the panel reflected on what it takes to lead with courage, pivotal moments that shaped their journeys, and how we can all help to create safer, fairer communities for older people.

Watch this recording as the panel explores why speaking out matters and why now, more than ever, the movement to end elder abuse needs all of us.

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A bit about our speakers:

Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM – Age Discrimination Commissioner, well known for his work in social justice, human services reform, and systemic advocacy. Robert was appointed as Age Discrimination Commissioner with the Australian Human Rights Commission in April 2024. Mr Fitzgerald is a highly respected lawyer, human rights and social justice advocate, and a leading figure in public and social policy areas. He has extensive experience in promoting child and adult safeguarding responses to abuse.

He was the inaugural NSW Ageing and Disability Commissioner since 2019 having served as a Commissioner on the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.  

Dr Kay Patterson AO – former Age Discrimination Commissioner and longstanding advocate for the rights of older Australians. Prior to entering Parliament in 1987 she received a BA (Hons) from University of Sydney and a Dip Ed and PhD from Monash University. She taught allied health students at Lincoln Institute and introduced gerontology into the undergraduate programs and co-developed the first Diploma in Gerontology in Victoria. She was elected to the Senate in 1987. In 2001 she was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Health and Ageing and in 2003 as Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister assisting the Prime Minister on Women’s Issues.  

Dr Patterson was appointed the Aged Discrimination Commissioner in 2016. As Commissioner she focussed on counteracting ageism, age discrimination in the workplace, elder abuse and older women at risk of homelessness. She has served on several not-for-profit boards and on Monash University Council. She is a board member of Every Age Counts and Patron of the Australian Institute for Intergenerational Practice. She was awarded an AO in 2016 and received an honorary doctorate from Monash University in 2018 and the University of Wollongong in 2024. 

Russell Westacott – known for sector leadership and inclusion work, particularly in LGBTIQ+ ageing. Russell is a human rights advocate with 40 years’ experience working with vulnerable and marginalised individuals and communities. He was appointed to the Aged Care Council of Elders in January 2025. As Chief Executive Officer of Seniors Rights Service for a decade from 2011, Russell was instrumental in growing the organisation’s reach and was active in developing the Older Person’s Advocacy Network. He contributed to the development of an international convention for the rights of older people and participated in the United Nations Open-ended Working Group on Ageing.

Russell actively advocated for aged care policy change and was one of the founding members of the peak cross-sector body, Elder Abuse Action Australia (EAAA). 

Our Moderator - Vivian Schenker
Vivian Schenker is a media and communications professional with nearly 40 years’ experience across broadcasting, politics, and the not-for-profit sector. A former journalist and presenter at the ABC and SBS, she hosted Insight on SBS TV and Radio National Breakfast on ABC. She later served as a Senior Communications Director in federal politics before leading media and communications at the Australian Red Cross. Vivian is currently Deputy Chair of 2RPH, a radio reading service.

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