Despite Australia’s ageing population, you just need to check out the birthday card section in any newsagent to find out about the cultural views of ageing in Australia.

Sadly, I think that there is a pervasive view of older people being a burden, being incompetent to make their own decisions and generally being in the way.

I grew up in a very close family that has a strong sense of social justice so I guess I leaned towards a career in that area. Early on in my work life I worked in the areas of homelessness, family violence and consumer advocacy. Then in 2004 I moved to London and started working with older people and I just loved it. Much of the work I did there was around the issue of abuse and when I came home to Australia, I was very drawn to the work being done by Seniors Rights Victoria.

I’m really proud to work with Seniors Rights Victoria, to promote and defend the rights of older people. The older people we work with come from such a diverse range of backgrounds and life experiences. Every person we speak with is different, and has a unique story to tell. It makes for a very varied work life and it is a real privilege to be trusted by the people who share their experience with us.

Despite hearing so many stories of abuse over the years, I am still affected by hearing each new revelation and it never ceases to amaze and sadden me how people treat their older family members or friends. It is the case for me that I need to channel that anger and sadness into providing the best possible service to those in need. I am motivated by the work that Seniors Rights Victoria does not only with individuals but the work that we do to try and achieve systemic change.

Although we have to deal with the problem of elder abuse, we also get to work on how to create a positive ageing experience.

All of us are going to get old one day, if we are lucky. We all need to be committed to tackling the systemic ageism that exists in our society and creating a culture where older people are afforded the same dignity and respect as other members of the community. Of course, in Victoria, with our incredible diversity, we also have to understand the differing roles of older people in our many different cultures – which poses a huge challenge in itself.

In the end, it comes down to remembering that everyone has something to contribute to society – and older people are certainly no different. The views of older people are all too often ignored which can make them feel powerless. I feel honoured to be able to work on their behalf. We may not always get the outcomes we would hope for, but when an older person tells you they feel like they have been heard, regained some control or they feel like a citizen with rights, then that makes the work worthwhile.