Dementia Australia has today announced the recipients of the 2025 Diversity Small Grant program, awarding more than $300,000 to 10 Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and culturally and linguistically diverse community groups and organisations across Australia.
Each of the recipients were awarded up to $30,000 each to fund activities to build greater dementia awareness in their local communities
Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan said the grants have been awarded at a time when dementia prevalence rates among First Nations people are approximately three to five times higher than that of the general Australian population1 and at least 28 per cent of people living with dementia in Australia were born in a non-English speaking country2.
"Each of these community groups or organisations have been selected because they know their communities. We look forward to seeing all the projects up and running and increasing dementia awareness in a way that is culturally sensitive and appropriate," Professor Buchanan said.
"The standard of applicants was extremely high - I congratulate all grant recipients."
Successful grant recipient Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Limited CEO Simon Flagg said the grant would allow their organisation to use food, storytelling and connection to promote dementia awareness and reduce stigma.
"Our project, 'Koori Kitchen Memories: Food and Storytelling for Dementia Awareness', will involve cooking bush tucker and nostalgic family meals, as well as informal yarning about signs of dementia with a dementia educator," Mr Flagg said.
"We will use traditional and familiar recipes to spark memories, bring people together and share information about dementia. The project will bring local Elders and young people together to promote intergenerational learning."
The Diversity Small Grant program is a Dementia Australia initiative funded by the Australian Federal Government.
Recipients of the Diversity Small Grant
ACT ACT Chinese Australian Association Inc
NSW Ginhar Indigenous Corporation
NT Darwin Community Art Inc
QLD Multicultural Community of Queensland Inc
SA Tullawon Health Service Inc
VIC Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative Australian-Filipino Community Services Australian Burundian Community in Victoria Inc
WA Moorditj Youth Foundation Aboriginal Corporation
1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2024) Population health impacts of dementia among First Nations people
2 Australian Bureau of Statistic 2018 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers
