MANSFIELD resident Michele Padbury had the honour of presenting at the 2024 Australian Elder Abuse Conference held in Adelaide July 22 to 23. She was invited by Financial Counselling Victoria (FCVic) to be a speaker at the national conference as a subject expert on financial elder abuse. Mrs Padbury, who won the state Financial Counselling award in 2022, presented in a session where she teamed with Dr Peta Cook (a leading sociologist from the University of Tasmania). Their session, “Defending your finances: protecting yourself from financial abuse” was very well received by delegates both virtual and physical. With more than 350 delegates at the conference (plus 100 more delegates online) it was a very full and busy conference. Delegates were inspired by the keynote speakers and panel sessions. “To be able to listen to speakers of such a high calibre was a fantastic opportunity – speakers such as Walkley Award winning columnist and activist Jane Caro, ex 60 minutes reporter and journalist Tracey Curro, current Age Discrimination Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald, and the Hon Dr Kay Patterson,” Mrs Padbury said. “Being asked to present a session on financial counselling at this conference was a coup.” Elder abuse is a sometimes-hidden issue. “It has been reported that one in six older people have suffered abuse, and less than one third of them seek assistance," Mrs Padbury noted. Organisations such as Elder Abuse Action Australian (EAAA, who co-hosted the conference) are raising awareness of the issue via Compass (EAAA’s national website navigating elder abuse in Australia). For anyone who has or is experiencing financial abuse, a financial counsellor may be able to assist. The National Debt Helpline 1800 007 007 is a good place to start seeking assistance. With the support of VincentCare Victoria, where Mrs Padbury has worked as a senior financial counseller in Shepparton for the last six years years.
