The Seniors Peak Body Consumers Reference Group (SRG) held its inaugural meeting on Wednesday, 10 December 2025 at Perron Place, bringing together a diverse and passionate group of Western Australians committed to strengthening the voice of older people across the state.
The SRG will provide advice and insight to the WA Seniors Peak Body, run by Advocare. The group will play a key role in shaping policy, identifying priority issues and ensuring that the perspectives of older Western Australians remain central to ageing, health, community services and broader public policy.
COTA WA is pleased to serve as the Secretariat for the SRG, supporting the group’s work and helping coordinate its meetings, activities and collaborative efforts across the seniors sector.
A Strong Start and Shared Commitment
Members of the SRG bring a wide range of backgrounds, regional perspectives and lived experiences. During the inaugural meeting, members shared their aspirations for improving outcomes for older people, including addressing ageism, promoting fairness in aged care, strengthening elder abuse prevention, improving communication for people with cognitive decline, and ensuring equitable access to services across metropolitan, regional and remote WA.
The group expressed a shared determination to remain active contributors to community life and to ensure older people are recognised for the vital roles they continue to play across Western Australia.
SRG Members
The Seniors Reference Group comprises:
- Frank Smith
- Linda Males
- Margaret Walsh
- Stephen Kobelke
- Micheal Pemberton
- Amina Schipp (elected as inaugural Chair)
- Renate Van Dordrect
- Ron DeGruchy
- Lenka Psar-McCabe
- Suresh Rajan
Also in attendance at the meeting:
Bianca Marson Whait (Seniors Peak Manager, Advocare)
Liz Harrison (Principal Policy Officer Seniors, Department of Communities)
Mark Kinsela (Secretariat, COTA WA)