At the 2024 Australian Dementia Research Forum, Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney, was celebrated for his lifetime contributions to dementia research and care.
In 1982, driven by personal experience and international developments, Prof Brodaty founded the Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders Society (ADARDS) in NSW. This initiative spurred the creation of similar organisations across Australia, culminating in the formation of ADARDS Australia, now known as Dementia Australia, part of the global Alzheimer’s Disease International network.
Transitioning from activism to research and policy, Prof Brodaty became a full-time psychogeriatrician in 1990. Over the past 30 years, he has been a steadfast clinician, policy advisor, and advocate, significantly advancing dementia care and research. At CHeBA, he co-leads pioneering studies on brain ageing, aiming to enhance the lives of people with dementia and their families.
With over 800 publications and numerous accolades, including an Officer of the Order of Australia and the International Ryman Prize, Prof Brodaty’s impact is profound. He emphasises the ongoing advancements in treatments and care, expressing optimism about future developments.
At the forum, Prof Brodaty thanked his colleagues and his wife, Karol, for their support, acknowledging their crucial role in his contributions to dementia research and care.