Lunch & Learn: Standing Up, Speaking Out - older people's voices in the spotlight

We talk about older people a lot in this sector. We talk about their needs, their vulnerabilities, their rights. But how often do we actually stop and listen to them?

On 11 June, EAAA's Lunch & Learn is doing just that.

Ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, join us on Thursday 11 June at 12.30pm AEST for a special Lunch & Learn that puts older people’s voices front and centre.

Standing Up, Speaking Out features members of EAAA’s Seniors Panel for Advocacy, Rights and Knowledge (SPARK): Margaret Crothers, Craig Hubbard and Cathy Chong, in conversation with EAAA Executive Officer Bev Lange.

They will share their perspectives on elder abuse, rights and ageing, exploring what’s being missed, where systems are falling short and what meaningful action really looks like.

This special Lunch & Learn also reflects the theme of EAAA's upcoming national conference Stand Up, Speak Out, taking place on the Gold Coast from 27-29 July.

Whether you work with older people, support them in your community or simply want to better understand the issues they face, this is an event not to be missed.

In the lead-up to World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, this is a conversation we need to have.
Because ending elder abuse starts with listening

A bit about our speakers

Margaret Crothers
SPARK Chair

Margaret trained as a teacher and taught modern and ancient history in NSW high schools before joining Seniors Rights Service in 2006 as an advocate and educator supporting the rights of older people receiving aged care services. Since retiring in 2025, she continues to volunteer through SPARK and as a board member of CLC South Coast & Country Community Law.

Craig Hubbard
SPARK Panel Member

Craig is the founder of AdvocateNT, supporting issues affecting older Territorians. With a background in business and information technology consulting across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, he has worked in sectors including health, policing, manufacturing and software engineering.  A Northern Territory community member for more than 20 years, Craig is actively involved in advocacy focused on elder abuse, mobility issues and the experiences of older people remaining in the workforce. He is committed to ensuring lived experience voices are heard in policy development and community responses, often engaging directly with seniors through informal conversations and community gatherings.

Cathy Chong
SPARK Panel Member

Cathy Chong worked in the healthcare system for more than 35 years following her arrival in Adelaide in the late 1960s, with roles spanning direct nursing care, hospital administration and healthcare consultancy. She is passionate about raising awareness within culturally and linguistically diverse communities, particularly around healthcare, ageing and quality of care, and has spent decades volunteering across aged care, community services and advocacy initiatives.