Good Spirit Good Life Centre for Research Excellence in Indigenous Ageing Well

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The Centre for Research Excellence is Indigenous led.

The Centre’s vision is to build the capability of services, systems and communities that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as they age.

  • ​This work is underpinned by the Aboriginal elder co-developed Good Spirit Good Life framework outlining the interconnected elements that strengthen spirit to support ageing well.
  • We are focused on building the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers in the field of ageing well.

Our Investigators

Chief investigators: 

  • Director Professor Dawn Bessarab (Bard/ Yindijibarndi)aboriginal flag
  • Co-director Dr Kate Smith
  • Professor Dina LoGiudice
  • Professor  Leon Flicker
  • Professor Michael Wright (Yuat Nyoongar)
  • Dr Kylie Radford
  • Professor Julie Ratcliffe
  • Ms Roslyn Malay (Yurriyangem Taam Kija)
  • Dr Chontel Gibson (Kamilaroi)
  • Professor Sandra Thompson.

Associate investigators

  • Associate Professor Boe Rambaldini (Bundjalung)
  • Professor David Atkinson
  • Professor Edward Strivens
  • Dr Graham Gee 
  • Associate Professor Jennifer Walker (Haudenosaunee First Nations people of the Grand River)
  • Associate Professor Jeromey Temple
  • Associate Professor Lyn Goldberg
  • Ms Tamasin Tunny
  • Mr Warwick Padgham (Taungurung)

CRE Manager

  • Ms Christianne White

    Our Centre’s Objectives

    Objective 1: Establishing an Indigenous ageing data hub by combining national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ageing studies.

    Objective 2: This data hub will be governed by an Indigenous Data Governance Group and a data advisory group.

    Objective 3: Adapting the GSGL QoL tool for use in remote areas and in the Torres Strait.

    Objective 4: Explore culturally acceptable methods to developing a preference-based scoring system for the Good Spirit Good Life tool.

    Objective 5: Outlining models of best practice in Indigenous aged care by conducting a systematic review underpinned by the Good Spirit Good Life Quality of Life framework.

    Objective 6: Developing the Good Spirit Good Life aged care services guidelines and training resources.