The Pulse: March 2026
Your monthly update on the latest initiatives, innovations, and impacts from Dementia Alliance—keeping you connected to the heartbeat of our work
Momentum, Recognition and Community in Action
As the year gathers pace, 2026 has already brought remarkable energy and encouragement for Dementia Alliance and the Reflections at Eppalock community. From young leadership being recognised, to new partnerships forming and community projects taking shape, the past weeks have been filled with moments that remind us how powerful connection and shared purpose can be. What continues to grow at Reflections is not just programs or projects, but a community of people who care deeply about supporting those living with dementia and the carers who walk beside them.
Young Citizen of the Year – A Proud Moment
The year began with a very special recognition for Phannika Finnerty, our Dementia Buddy Team Leader, who was honoured as the City of Greater Bendigo Young Citizen of the Year, followed shortly after by Advance Heathcote’s Local Hero Award.
Phannika’s leadership and compassion continue to inspire many through her Gnomes Across Generations project, bringing young people, carers and those living with dementia together in meaningful and creative ways. We are incredibly proud of her..
Welcome Manorama Shah
We are delighted to welcome Manorama Shah as Community Program & Operations Lead at Dementia Alliance.
Manorama brings extensive experience across health, aged care and community wellbeing, including roles with Bendigo Health and multicultural community organisations. With a strong commitment to inclusion, community development and practical program delivery, Manorama has already hit the ground running and is strengthening our growing programs and partnerships.
Daylesford ChillOut Festival
Once again Dementia Alliance was proud to take part in the Daylesford ChillOut Festival, hosting the ChillOut Zone— a welcoming space where people could pause, enjoy a cuppa, have a conversation and learn more about dementia.
It was wonderful to stand alongside Liz and the Department of Health team, showing what is possible when government and community work together to support and inform people in meaningful ways.
A day filled with connection, kindness and community spirit.
Building the Garden of Quiet Reflections
A huge thank you to the Victorian Mobile Landcare Group for constructing the fence for our soon-to-be Garden of Quiet Reflections, part of the Whispers of Europe project at Reflections at Eppalock.
These remarkable volunteers didn’t just bring tools and skills — they brought ideas, pride and heart. From building the fence to suggesting thoughtful additions like the reflection chalkboard, they have truly embraced the vision.
Representing knowledge gained over a lifetime and generously shared with community, they will be returning soon to help us complete this special space.
A New Community Partnership
We are deeply honoured to have been chosen as St John of God Bendigo Hospital’s Community Partner.
To be invited by such a respected and compassionate organisation is incredibly humbling and a real testament to the work being undertaken through Dementia Alliance and Reflections at Eppalock.
As Kate Ellis, Director of Mission Integration, shared:
“We are delighted to be partnering with Dementia Alliance. We look forward to spreading the message and promoting their incredible work at Reflections at Eppalock. Together, we will support our local people living with dementia, as well as their carers and families through fundraising and volunteering initiatives.”
This partnership will create new opportunities to strengthen support, awareness and community connection.
Children Helping Shape a Dementia Story
Dementia Alliance recently visited Axedale Primary School with Naoko Suzuki, Associate Professor from Tokushima University in Japan.
Naoko has written a children’s story about Tom, an eight-year-old boy learning to understand his grandmother’s dementia. During her visit to Bendigo, Dementia Alliance worked closely with Naoko and undertook the English translation of the book as part of exploring how the story might be shared with Australian children.
Principal Corrina Hartland read the story to students, who responded thoughtfully — sharing ideas about what might be happening to Tom’s grandmother and how children can help older people who feel confused or forgetful. Several students even shared that they have grandparents living with dementia.
Earlier in the week the story was also shared with participants at our Carers Lunch, where Marg Rae kindly read the story to the group.
It has been a wonderful opportunity to see how stories can help children and families better understand dementia.
Naoko now returns to Japan and we look forward to continuing discussions about how we might collaborate to bring this book to Australian children.
Closing Reflection
As always, thank you for being part of this journey.
What we are building together is more than a place or a program — it is a shared commitment to dignity, inclusion and care that belongs in community.
