Kay Patterson, AO

Invited Speaker, Gerontology

The Honourable Dr, Australian Human Rights Commission, NSW

Appointed Age Discrimination Commissioner in July 2016, Dr Patterson is highly qualified for the role. Teaching psychology to health science students in the 1970’s she developed an interest in gerontology and expanded the undergraduate programs in human development to include the study of ageing and co-developed the first Post-Grad Diploma in Gerontology in Victoria.

Elected to the Senate in 1987 she pursued throughout her parliamentary career, both as a back bencher and Cabinet Minister, issues affecting older Australians. Older workers, elder abuse and homelessness are her priorities in her current role.

Dr Patterson has served on a number of not-for-profit boards, she was appointed to the Australian Council of Elders at the end of 2021, is an Honorary Fellow at Monash University, and was appointed as an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2016.