National Ageing Research Institute Ltd

24/12/2025

12/12/2025

With NARI's conference season finally coming to a close, we thought we'd take a moment to look back on where we went, who we met and what we shared during 2025!

11/12/2025

🌞 It looks like summer has finally decided to arrive in Australia with temperatures set to rise across the country over the next few days. That means it's the perfect time to learn about NARI's 'Cooling Off' project (page 48 in Ageing Australia's 'Aged Care Today' publication) which investigated the use and perceptions of cooling centres for older Victorians and explored how this population perceive the health-related effects of heatwaves.

Older people are particularly susceptible to heat-related illness and death during heatwaves, due to physiological and social factors, health conditions, social isolation and housing situations. With climate contributing to an increase in the number and severity of heatwaves in Australia, it’s important to mitigate the impact on older people. 🌞

Visit our website to find out more about the 'Cooling Off' project: https://www.nari.net.au/cooling-off-exploring-the-use-of-community-cooling-centres-by-older-people-during-heatwaves

Our summer 2025 issue of Aged Care Today magazine is out now. Packed with the latest news and insights from aged care leaders and experts, you’ll also find wonderful stories from Ageing Australia members – from dance festivals to sustainability awards. Download it today > https://ageingaustralia.asn.au/aged-care-today-magazine/

07/12/2025

NARI is pleased to announce the following new appointments and changes to our Board of Directors, confirmed at our recent 2025 Annual General Meeting (AGM):

👏 Congratulations to new Board Director Professor Geoff McColl on being appointed to the role of Board Chair and returning Director Sue Leitch on being appointed Board Deputy Chair.

🌟 Welcome and congratulations to additional new Board Members Dr Monica Trujillo, Kylie Cochrane and Andrew Simpson who bring fresh expertise and passion to NARI’s vision and mission.

🙏 We would also like to sincerely thank outgoing Directors Associate Professor Michael Murray AM, Richard Gallina and Professor Danny Liew for their collective years of dedicated service to the NARI Board. Their leadership has been instrumental in advancing ageing research and improving the lives of older people and those who care for them.

Read more here: https://www.nari.net.au/news/nari-welcomes-new-board-directors-and-thanks-outgoing-leaders

05/12/2025

🌍✨ Celebrating Volunteers - Every Contribution Matters ✨🌍

Last Friday, we proudly hosted NARI’s annual Thank You Day — a special occasion to recognise the incredible contribution of our Community Advisory Panel, research participants and volunteers.

One week later, on United Nations International Day of Volunteers, we extend that gratitude even further. Volunteers are at the heart of ageing research and care delivery: giving their time, skills and compassion to help improve the lives of older people.

💙💚 To every volunteer who supports NARI and our vision for a world where older people are respected, included and have the opportunity to age well — thank you for your dedication, your generosity, your passion, your commitment and your impact. Your efforts make a world of difference 💚 💙

01/12/2025

🎉 Celebrating Excellence at NARI🎉

Last Monday night, we came together at our 2025 AGM to celebrate the diverse, innovative and inspiring work of NARI over the past 12 months. As part of proceedings, the following NARI staff were recognised for their dedication, impact and excellence which continue to shape the future of translational research into ageing and aged care.
⭐ 15 years of service to NARI – Associate Professor Frances Batchelor
⭐ 15 years of service to NARI – Dr Ellen Gaffy
⭐ NARI Professional Excellence Award (Derek Prinsley Award) – Marcia Fearn
⭐ NARI Research Excellence Award (Robert Helme Award) – Dr Anna Lane
⭐ NARI Research Impact Award (Briony Dow Award) – Professor Joan Ostaszkiewicz

28/11/2025

Flash back to the 2025 Evidence and Implementation Summit co-hosted by the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) and the Implementation Science Health Conference Australia (ISHCA). A leading biennial event at the nexus of research, policy and practice, the Summit seeks to improve lives globally by bringing together policymakers, researchers, implementation scientists, program evaluators, practitioners, academics, organisation leaders and funders, to examine the synthesis, evaluation, generation, translation and implementation of research evidence into policy and practice.

This year, NARI senior researchers took to the stage as part of various collaborations and partnerships with fellow passionate experts to discuss issues related to aged care, ageing and aged care reform and demonstrate the impact that implementation science and translational research can have - 'Impact' is one of NARI's strategic pillars, ensuring that our work contributes to knowledge implementation, improved health and wellbeing, a stronger economy, and a more vibrant and cohesive society.

27/11/2025

💥 Upcoming FREE Technology in Aged Care Forum: Thursday 4th December 2025 (Melbourne) 💥

'Connecting Through Language: A Forum on Translation Tech in Aged Care' will be co-hosted by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC). This free in-person event will bring together aged care representatives, researchers and others working in the translation space to explore the use of translation technologies in supporting communication with older adults from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds.

We’re looking for people who work in aged care or in the multicultural communities/translation space, or are families/carers of people from CALD backgrounds, where they’ve needed translation support for older people accessing aged care. The intention is to discuss how technology and apps could be used in home or residential aged care environments to support communication with older people who speak a different language (e.g. Google translate).

Register now to be part of this important conversation: https://www.nari.net.au/Event/connecting-through-language-04122025

A Forum on Translation Technology in Aged Care, co-hosted by the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI) and the Melbourne Ageing Research Collaboration (MARC). This event will explore the use of translation technologies in supporting communication with older adults from culturally and linguistica...

25/11/2025

💚🌿 Attention all lovers of nature... this could be our green-est Outdoor ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park yet 🌿💚

What a beautiful setting for older adults to engage in physical activity and social interaction - City Council - critical in promoting healthy, positive ageing.

👏 Celebrating another milestone for active ageing in the community! 👏
📣 Today, the new Seniors Exercise Park at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully was officially opened by Cr Meagan Baker from Knox City Council.
📣 This park builds on Knox City Council’s strong commitment to healthy and active ageing, following the installations at Carrington Park in 2022.
The National Ageing Research Institute Ltd has a long-standing partnership with Knox City Council and the Positive Ageing team, working together to translate research into practice and support older residents to stay active, connected, and healthy.
🎀 It’s wonderful to see this continued leadership in promoting age-friendly communities - with another Seniors Exercise Park launch coming soon!

📸 Photos from today’s event below

24/11/2025

A busy week ahead for NARI's Senior Principal Researcher Prof Pazit Levinger who is presenting our research regarding the ENJOY seniors outdoor exercise parks at the 11th Biennial Australia and New Zealand Falls Prevention Conference in Sydney, followed by the Asia-Pacific Society for Physical Activity (ASPA) 2025 Annual Conference in Newcastle.
https://aspactivity.org/conference-2025/

🌳👴🚶‍♂️‍➡️🛝😁

Explore, connect, and lead change through physical activity ASPA 2025 Prevention Is Everybody's Business Join leaders in research, policy and practice for ASPA

18/11/2025

💪 Come and celebrate the official opening of Marie Wallace Park - the latest ENJOY Seniors Exercise Park!

🗓️ Wednesday 19 November, 10:30–11:30am

📍 Mountain Highway & Jim Abernethy Memorial Drive, Bayswater

Excited to share that there are now three Seniors Exercise Parks across Knox — at Carrington Park (Knoxfield), Wally Tew Reserve (Ferntree Gully) and Marie Wallace Park (Bayswater).

💪 Come and celebrate the official opening of Marie Wallace Park
🗓️ Wednesday 19 November, 10:30–11:30am
📍 Mountain Highway & Jim Abernethy Memorial Drive, Bayswater

Each park is designed to support healthy ageing, social connection and active living for older adults in our community. With specially designed equipment for all abilities, they’re a fun and safe way to build strength, balance and flexibility — all while connecting with others.

No bookings needed — just come along and give it a try.