Moira Miller and Victoria Traynor report from the recent Hammond Care Group, 6th International Dementia Conference in Sydney

In November 2003, Hazel Hawke went public with the news she had Alzheimer’s disease – an announcement that sent shock waves around Australia. The way in which she has undertaken her role as prime minister’s wife and services beyond this has elevated Ms Hawke to the status of Australian icon. And the news that such a dynamic, strong woman could have dementia has changed the way people think about the disease. In fact, since the public revelation of her diagnosis, Ms Hawke and her family have contributed hugely to raising the profile of Alzheimer’s disease, including setting up charities to research the causes of dementia and the best ways of caring for those with a diagnosis (Hazel Hawke Alzheimer’s Research and Care Fund 2006).