Dementia Australia congratulates author and dedicated dementia advocate, Tom Valenta OAM for his inclusion in the Australia Day Honours today receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division.
Mr Valenta has been honoured for his distinguished service to the community through charitable organisations, Dementia Australia*, Cystic Fibrosis Victoria, Task Force Community Agency and Odyssey House Victoria.
Professor Graeme Samuel AC, Chair Dementia Australia said on behalf of all people impacted by dementia I wish to acknowledge Tom for this well-deserved honour.
"I commend his dedication to raising awareness and advocating for people living with a dementia, particularly younger onset dementia, and their families and carers," Prof Samuel said.
In 2007 Tom Valenta published Remember Me Mrs V: Caring for my wife and others, a tribute to his wife, Marie. Marie was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, aged 54.
"I am humbled by this honour," Mr Valenta said.
"The writing, advocacy and other work I have done for Dementia Australia has been exceptionally satisfying.
"Having lost my wife Marie to Alzheimer's disease I do not want any of my children or grandchildren to experience any form of dementia."
Prof Graeme Samuel AC, Chair of Dementia Australia, officially launched the book and shared his own family's experience with dementia to support Mr Valenta's project.
Mr Valenta then went on an extensive tour of Victoria, Sydney and Adelaide, raising awareness of dementia and selling the book at some 60 Rotary, Probus and other service club meetings. All the proceeds of the 5,000 books sold to date have been donated to Dementia Australia.
Tom, was recognised as an Honorary Member of Dementia Australia in 2013 and continues in his advocacy role as a public speaker and an active member of various committees and advisory groups.
The book can be purchased through Dementia Australia or for Kindle from Amazon.
Another valuable awareness raising project Mr Valenta produced with Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) titled, A Letter to Marie, can be viewed here https://cv.vic.gov.au/stories/a-diverse-state/digital-stories-of-the-mind-and-body/a-letter-for-marie/
Other publications by Mr Valenta are: Every Precious breath: Inspirational stories about living with Cystic Fibrosis, 2010; How the Light Shine In: 40 years of Task Force Community Agency, 2013; and Voyage of Hope - The History of Odyssey House in Australia, 2017.
