UNSW Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA)

Donor Spotlight Series – James Whitehead James Whitehead, General Manager at Ziff Davis, has been making waves for dementia research since 2022 – not just as a surfer, but as a steadfast donor who puts his own resources behind the cause year after year. Now gearing up for his fourth Wipeout Dementia – and the 10-year anniversary event at URBNSURF Sydney - James continues to champion the message that staying active throughout life is key to reducing dementia risk. James first joined Wipeout Dementia in honour of his grandmother, who lost her battle with Alzheimer’s disease, and his commitment has only strengthened since. “My grandmother’s battle with Alzheimer’s fuels my extreme passion to raise awareness and funds against dementia,” he says. “The impact of this disease is impossible to miss, both in our social connections and in the news - it is Australia’s leading cause of death, and its prevalence is only predicted to rise.” What makes James stand out is his personal generosity. Beyond rallying support from others, he contributes himself each year – and has even engaged his company, Ziff Davis, into the fold through corporate gift matching, multiplying the impact of his fundraising efforts. In 2024, his commitment was recognised when he won the Most Valuable Player award for his participation with Gordo’s Grovelers, captained by Michael Gordon. “I am immensely proud of the difference this event has made over the last decade,” he says. “Supporting CHeBA’s research gives me hope that together, we can change the future of dementia.” Through both his philanthropy and his leadership, James exemplifies the spirit of Wipeout Dementia – proving that when personal passion meets community action, the ripple effect is powerful. 

⏰ Could a lack of time be harming our brain health? New research from CHeBA, led by Associate Professor Susanne Roehr and published in The Lancet Healthy Longevity, reveals that “time poverty” - not having enough time to rest, move, eat well or connect socially - may be an invisible barrier to dementia prevention. The study calls for a shift in thinking: time should be recognised as a vital resource for #brainhealth, just like income or education. Without enough of it, even the best prevention strategies can fall short. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/gA8Bh2rD Co-authored by: Perminder Sachdev, Simone Reppermund, Suraj Samtani, and Annabel Matison. UNSW UNSW School of Clinical Medicine UNSW Medicine & Health #dementia #healthyageing #timepoverty #wellbeing #preventionmatters #CHeBA

We’re inspired by Daisy Nankervis, who will be surfing in this year’s Wipeout Dementia alongside her dad at URBNSURF Sydney as part of Bob & Jill’s Line Up - a team honouring Captain Anthony Scotts father and sister. Three of Daisy’s four grandparents have been affected by dementia, and her decision to take to the waves with her father is a powerful reminder of the personal stories that drive this campaign forward. “Each of my grandparents’ experiences with dementia was so different - one had gentle brain fog and one had vivid hallucinations. Another grew quiet and withdrawn. It was hard to make sense of it then, but I now know it was confusion not distance. He once escaped from hospital looking for ice cream. It’s shown me how varied and misunderstood dementia can be, but also how much patience and love matter. They truly need our support.” With dementia now the leading cause of death in Australia and projections showing over 1 million Australians will be living with the disease by 2065, the need for research and awareness has never been greater. At CHeBA, we’re extremely grateful for families like the Nankervises - and for every surfer in this 10-year anniversary event - who are helping to accelerate the science that will change the future of dementia. Support Daisy and Bob & Jill’s Line Up (sponsored by AWM - Australian Workstation Manufacturers) as they make waves for dementia research: https://lnkd.in/guPixqnA #10yearsofimpact #surfforacause #CHeBA #WipeoutDementia

🌊 Surfer & Sponsor Spotlight | Phillip Wicks & SHAPE Australia We are honoured to announce SHAPE Australia as returning sponsors of the 2025 Wipeout Dementia, with their Group Executive – Commercial, Phillip Wicks, once again riding the wave of social change and fundraising for dementia research. A true Wipeout legend, Phill has surfed and fundraised in every property industry event since 2016, with SHAPE proudly sponsoring the event for most of that time. Year after year, Phill’s drive and commitment have been unwavering - consistently raising over $5,000 annually in support of critical dementia research led by UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA). “I am proud to support advancements in dementia research and to help raise awareness of the critical link between lifelong physical activity and brain health,” says Phill. “Given that physical inactivity is a key risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, it is essential that we prioritise staying active throughout life to help prevent or delay the onset of cognitive decline.” Unlike many surfers who join Wipeout Dementia with a deeply personal connection to the cause, Phill and SHAPE represent the power of corporate social responsibility - demonstrating that meaningful change can come from a shared commitment to community wellbeing. With dementia now the leading cause of death in Australia and more than 1.7 million Australians involved in the care of someone living with dementia, the support of organisations like SHAPE ensures the longevity and sustainability of this campaign. Every dollar raised through Wipeout Dementia goes directly to CHeBA’s vital research to better prevent, diagnose and treat this devastating disease. Through their Community+ initiative, SHAPE supports a range of worthy causes nationwide, and we are deeply grateful to have Wipeout Dementia among them. This year, Phill will be in the water at URBNSURF Sydney on 24 October, joining surfing legends and event Ambassadors Owen Wright, Felicity Palmateer, Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew and Mark “Occy” Occhilupo to celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Wipeout Dementia. Enormous thanks to Phill Wicks, Peter Marix-Evans, James FitzGerald, and the entire SHAPE team for being inspiring role models of corporate generosity and leadership. 🔗 Support Phill as he rides again for brain health: https://lnkd.in/gRqY-W7P #10yearsofimpact #surfforacause #CHeBA #WipeoutDementia

🏆 We’re proud to share that CHeBA’s Minal Tanvir has been awarded Best Poster at the UNSW Ageing Futures Institute Research Symposium. Minal’s work tackled a critical question in #dementia diagnosis: when it comes to daily activities, should we rely on what people say or what they actually do? Minal’s systematic review of 134 studies show that performance-based assessments (directly observing daily tasks such as managing finances, medications, and shopping) provide a far more accurate and diagnostically relevant picture than self- or informant reports. In short: when diagnosing dementia, what people do matters more than what they say. Congratulations again, Minal, on this well-deserved recognition 👏 #dementia #healthyageing #CHeBA 

🌊 Surfer Spotlight | Mick Cafe For Mick Cafe, surfing in Wipeout Dementia is more than a competition - it’s personal. “The families of both my wife, Leanne, and I have been touched by dementia over several years. We lost my father-in-law, Dennis Kerr, three years ago on Father’s Day. Dennis was an awesome human being and, as well as being family, he was a great mate.” Mick recalls the heartbreak of watching Dennis’ health decline rapidly after his diagnosis. “With Den’s declining health, it became too much for Leanne’s mum, Barb, and the family to manage and so Den ended up in full-time care until he finally succumbed with a failing heart.” Sadly, dementia has also affected Mick’s own mother. “My mum, Pat, has been diagnosed with dementia in recent years. She’s adapted quickly with some lifestyle changes and is in good hands with her medical needs. Her true rock is our dad, also named Dennis. As the years progress, we’re again seeing the dedication and time that partners and family put into caring for their loved ones. It takes a toll, particularly on the older population who really should be enjoying their golden years.” Now in his fourth year competing in Wipeout Dementia and a participant in CHeBA’s Vascular Biomarker Study, Mick is more driven than ever to make a difference. “I’m doing this for those affected - but also for our carers, like my dad, who dedicate so much energy to their loved ones. Everyone deserves to age well.” “Our brains will age over time, that’s a given. But if we can preserve our minds for longer, delay or even prevent the onset of dementia, and create a better quality of life for all, our world will be such a better place.” A huge thank you to Mick for his ongoing support of Wipeout Dementia and to Versatile Group, proud sponsor of Gordo’s Grovelers captained by Michael Gordon, for helping make this campaign possible. 🔗Support Mick as he makes waves for dementia research this October: https://lnkd.in/gG4sZsJd #10yearsofimpact #surfforacause #CHeBA #WipeoutDementia

Last month, CHeBA’s Dr Katya Numbers launched the Dementia Care Social Club (DCSC) — a monthly initiative that combines dementia education with community support for carers. The first session, led by Dr Isabelle Meyer (CEO, Dementia Training Australia), shared practical, evidence-based strategies that help reframe the caregiving experience — from understanding the neuroscience behind behaviours to creating supportive environments and using professional services effectively. The DCSC sits at the intersection of research and translation, giving carers the tools, knowledge and community they need to feel supported. 📩 For more information: [email protected] #dementiacare #carersupport #healthyageing #CHeBA

🌊 Sponsor Spotlight | Morgans As Wipeout Dementia celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2025, it’s also time to celebrate the organisations that have stood by us from the very beginning. Since its inception, Morgans Financial Limited has been our major sponsor - backing Wipeout Dementia across its different evolutions: the original Queenscliff events, our intergenerational competition, the property industry events and now our landmark 10-year celebration at URBNSURF Sydney. Morgans’ ongoing sponsorship has been instrumental in helping this once start-up charity event sustain, grow and flourish into the flagship fundraiser it is today. Leading that connection has been Mark Gross, Executive Director at Morgans, who has surfed in eight Wipeout Dementia events – across both property and community competitions. Mark has not only raised significant funds personally but has also had the backing of his Morgans colleagues, who have consistently championed his involvement and helped amplify his impact. We have also been extremely privileged to have Director Lisa Shand speak at a special Wipeout Dementia event in 2024.  Morgans’ support demonstrates what true partnership looks like - combining sponsorship with personal commitment at the highest levels of leadership. It’s also a reminder for all our surfers of the power of organisational backing in driving fundraising success. We are especially grateful for the wider Morgans community, including the generosity of Morgans Director Tim Crommelin, whose support has extended across multiple Wipeout Dementia participants over the years. “Dementia is an insidious disease that touches so many lives. We’re incredibly proud to support CHeBA’s vital research into healthier brain ageing," Tim said. As we honour a decade of waves made against dementia, we are proud to shine a light on Morgans - whose steadfast support has helped sustain research led by UNSW’s Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), working toward prevention, earlier detection and better treatments for dementia. 🔗Support Mark Gross as he makes waves this October: https://lnkd.in/gUvQYmwf #10yearsofimpact #surfforacause #CHeBA #WipeoutDementia

🔬 Meet Our Researcher: Rory Chen 👩🔬   As a Health Data Scientist at CHeBA, Rory Chen is helping researchers unlock the full potential of dementia and ageing research data.   Rory leads the Dementias Platform Australia (DPAU) project. Her focus is on building systems that make data easier to find, access and share — accelerating collaboration and discoveries in dementia research.   Her journey began with a love of statistics and early work in public health in China, where she saw firsthand how data can shape real-world policy. Today, her work at CHeBA is transforming how researchers worldwide can use data to better understand dementia.   💬 “Seeing how data-driven research could directly improve people’s health showed me the real-world impact of statistics. It was this experience that sparked my passion for pursuing research further.”   🔗 Read more: https://lnkd.in/gVtsH9JN   #dementia #healthyageing #meetourresearcher #CHeBA

Huge credit to Liane Fletcher for creating such a meaningful event series that opens up the dialogue around dementia - breaking down stigma and inspiring genuine community connection. Events like these remind us how research, community and compassion can come together to help us all take action earlier and support better brain health for ourselves and our loved ones. At the next in-person event on 5 November, UNSW Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) Professor Henry Brodaty AO (world-renowned dementia researcher, clinician, and advocate, whose leadership has shaped dementia care globally), Dr Suraj Samtani (clinical psychologist and CHeBA researcher pioneering ways to strengthen social connections and improve quality of life for people living with dementia) and Ambassador PJ Lane (entertainer and son of the late TV legend Don Lane), will explore the latest in dementia research, brain health and early warning signs, while encouraging open conversation and shared understanding.