about Us
The Dementia Support Network of WA was created to support those people supporting loved ones living with dementia.
This journey can often be a hard one, confusing and even traumatic. We often seen the biggest population of people becoming unwell both physically and mentally are those caring for someone living with dementia.
We often hear the term “dementia sufferer” when in fact the person living with dementia doesn’t often”suffer” at all and the main people that are affected by this illness are the families or those caring for that person.
We are not a big organisation but our principles are focussed on care and attention for you, whenever you should need a helping hand. We can be a confidant, a support system, a place to gain knowledge and advice or maybe just knowing we are here should you need us is enough for you.
Our Dementia Care team are passionate to share empathy, experience and knowledge to those living with dementia, their families and those in a caring role
Gill Grant - Chair
Gil Grant .. retiree after 18 years of owning & running his business G & S Furniture Sales Pty Ltd, City of Belmont Councilor for 2 years, Chairman of Belmont Sister Association with the City of Adachi Japan for 4 years, Chairman of Belmont Local Chambers of Commerce for 5 years, Director and Vice President of Perth Football Club for 11 years.
After retirement Gil became the Indonesian and Australian Chairman & Operations Manager of the NGO Charity Project Karma who's mission is combating the child abuse, exploitation and pedophilia in Indonesia.
Susan Grant - Secretary
Now retired after co-owning and managing the office of a furniture business for 18 years. Susan was the local chamber business woman of the year, chairperson for 3 years of the Perth Football Club auctions, Secretary for 2 years of the Canggu Rotary Club Bali. Founder of Karma Angels supporting fundraising in both Bali and Australia.
Theresa Bates - Founder / Board Member
Theresa is the founder of the Foundation. Theresa is a Dementia Care Specialist with many years experience working one on one with families with all types of dementia and travelled the dementia journey with her mother for 10 years. She specialises in Younger Onset Dementia.
Diane Murfit - Board Member
Diane has extensive experience in state government, private enterprise, not for profit, resources and utilities and is currently a Human Factors Specialist with a strong emphasis on the psychology of safety and health and wellbeing.
Diane has worked in the oil and gas industry delivering and supporting workplace culture programs working closely with leadership teams.
Diane was the Operations Manager for the Perth branch of a global not for profit giving women the confidence to re-enter the workforce through the development of a series of workshops as part of a Career Support Program.
Diane currently supports her mother who has Alzheimer’s and understands the confusion around support for those with the disease as well as their support network and comes to DSNWA as a former client.
Darrell Bates - Board Member
Darrell Bates has also been involved in the organisation for a number of years. He is a career firefighter with the Dept of Emergency & Firefighter Services in Perth. He has held a committee member position with the United Firefighters Union of WA. He has also travelled the journey of dementia for the past ten years and understands the need to help other families in this position.
