Webinar: Financial Enduring Power of Attorney. What are the hurdles?

In the second of our 2024 webinars on enduring power of attorney, we discuss the particular types of hurdles that exist for Australia’s multicultural community, First Nations people and the LGBTQIA+ community.

Is it cost? Is it awareness? Is it cultural? Is it access? We discuss these issues and others as we dive into the systemic and personal reasons at play.

And we also look at the implications for these communities of not having an enduring power of attorney.

Join Ricki Spencer, Dr Elizabeth McEntyre and Medha Gunawardana for thisinsightful and information-packed conversation moderated by Philippa McDonald.

Panellists:
Dr Elizabeth McEntyre

Dr Elizabeth McEntyre is a Worimi Guringai and Wonnarua Elder whose Country spans Port Stephens, the Myall Lakes, the Barrington Tops and the Hunter Valley in NSW.

She is a Doctor of Social Work and Criminology, a Mental Health Social Worker in Disability and Justice, and a member of the NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal. Elizabeth is a research consultant, an experienced Board Director serving on several Boards, and an advisor to professional associations and service providers, including the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ageing and Aged Care Council, Legal Aid NSW, and Life Without Barriers. She is is a member of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care Aged Care Advisory Group, and the Department of Health and Aged Care Consumer Reference Group.

Ricki Spencer

Ricki Spencer (They/Her) M.Ed. is a qualified teacher. They are a public advocate for people living with a disability, transgender, and adopted. Ricki is a health sociologist, neurodivergent digital health advisor, mental wellness & housing advisor. Volunteerism is in her DNA

She is the current Co-Convenor for Sociology of Teaching and Critical Disabilities, for the Australian Sociological Association, LGBTQ Health Australia First Nations and Safety and Quality Advisory Steering Member, Channel 31 TV Host, Executive Community Advisor for Breast Screen Victoria and Royal Melbourne Hospital and Western Health. Ricki also sits on Diabetes Victoria as a consumer. Ricki has over 25 years’ experience working in welfare provision as a social worker and teacher. Ricki identifies as a transgender non-binary person with lived experiences of disability. They are passionate about local planning issues in relation to access to health and services for marginalised groups in Victoria. They have qualifications in social work, community planning and teaching and sociology.

Dr. Medha Gunawardana

Dr. Medha Gunawardana has an extensive experience in the multicultural sector in Victoria. She currently serves as the Manager - Community Strengthening at Australian Multicultural Community Services (AMCS). In addition, Dr. Gunawardana is a Board director of the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) and Elder Abuse Action Australia, and she chairs ECCV’s Positive Ageing and Aged Care Policy Advisory Committee.

An active leader in cultural and community development, Dr. Gunawardana is dedicated to promoting multiculturalism and ensuring equal opportunities for all Australians, including newly emerging communities. She is committed to supporting those facing the greatest challenges, helping them to achieve better lives and fostering hope for a brighter future.