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Caroline Romeo (Convenor)

Caroline’s interest comes from a 20+ year experience of working with or for older people across in-home care, community development, state-wide advocacy, and counselling. She currently works as a counsellor in a Government-funded service, in EAP and private practice. Influenced by her migration and multi-cultural experiences, Caroline brings a curiosity to counselling for older people in exploring its intersection with gender, ethnicity, age, place, disability, or multiplicities of identity. She graduated with Honours in Social Science (Macquarie University) in 2007 and Master of Counselling (University of Notre Dame) in 2017.

Bernadette Milsted

Bernadette holds a Masters in Couples and Relationship Counselling, Grad Dip (Counselling) and BASc. She has been practising as a professional counsellor for over 25 years and prior to that was in Pastoral ministry. Currently, Bernadette works in part-time private practice to allow for a better work/life balance. Her practice includes individual, couples, and group counselling, and supervision in a variety of Not-For-Profit counselling centres, including her term as the Director of Karinya Counselling Centre, in Palliative Care and in private practice. She has recently retired from 10 years working with Dementia Australia.

Bernadette has been involved in the tertiary training of counsellors and supervisors (Kingsley College, Tabor, and Homesglen), as well as supervising students in their practicum placements, and staff supervision in the workplace. Bernadette’s clinical practice includes grief and loss, trauma, relationships, anxiety and depression, group work, life transitions and end-of-life preparation. I have a passion for professional supervision which includes working with clinical counsellors, student counsellors, hospital and school Chaplains and those in Pastoral ministry.

Tracey Crouch

Tracey’s interest in Older People stems from her previous work in local government where she held variety of positions including community development. She noticed a lack of community support and services for seniors particularly those that promote healthy living, moving well, and good mental health. She is interested in encouraging people to live their lives to the fullest and to de-stigmatizing the ageing process. Tracey holds a Master of Counselling at Notre Dame University and her counselling roles have included counselling for people living with dementia and their carers, as well as women’s health, and people living with HIV. She also practices grief and loss counselling, and works in private practice. She is passionate about the transformative power of counselling to honour and acknowledge the profound life experiences that shape us.

Dr Hilary Berthon

Hilary has an interest in working with older adults and the issues that they may experience including loss and grief, chronic health conditions, caring responsibilities, navigating change and life transitions, stress, anxiety and depression. She is passionate about empowering people to identify their valued ways of living and working alongside them to support their well-being. Hilary works as a counsellor in private practice and as a pastoral practitioner in health and aged care settings. She brings to her practice experience in instructing mindful movement classes and has facilitated well-being programs for Dementia Australia and the YMCA. Hilary completed her Master of Counselling studies at the University of Canberra, and has a background in science (B.Sc. (Hons), Ph.D., Dip. Fitness).

Nina Corlett

Nina is a mum, music lover, nature walker, pink-and-sparkles enthusiast, and someone who believes deeply in kindness, connection, and living with dignity to the very end.

She is the Founder and Director of Sacred Pathways Counselling and Dementia Services, where Nina works as a Counsellor, Dementia Doula, Chaplain, and Educator. Her work is grounded in compassion and lived experience and is all about empowering others to find meaning, healing, and strength in their stories. But there’s so much more to Nina than her work.

Nina absolutely loves her family and treasures every moment with them. She is a proud mum of three incredible young adults – their resilience inspires her every day. She enjoys a love a good laugh, chocolate and a cool gin on a warm afternoon - and is also a bit impartial to a cup of tea.

Music is one of the great loves of her life. Her playlists are eclectic – varying from popular music to classical, and everything in-between. Nina sings often (sometimes loudly!), and enjoy concerts, reading (especially rom-coms and inspiring stories), audiobooks, journalling and solo walks in nature. She is a big fan of silence, but also values social connection - especially time with close friends. Nina even directs a local choir and have some of her own music online.

Spirituality and faith are central to who Nina is, anchoring her and giving her life meaning and purpose. For Nina, living well means being treated with dignity, respect, and kindness, and having meaningful interactions with those she loves – something she wants for others too.

Yuliya Khudavets

Yuliya is interested in working with older adults and the emotional and psychological aspects of ageing, including adjustment to change, loss and grief, health challenges, and life transitions. She has a particular interest in supporting people who have experienced migration, including those who have left established lives and social networks and are adapting to new cultural and environmental contexts later in life. Yuliya works as a counsellor in private practice and also supports older adults in community settings. Her practice is trauma-informed and relational, working with adults experiencing anxiety, stress, and relational concerns. She holds a Master of Counselling and a Graduate Diploma in Trauma-Informed Processwork Psychotherapy, with a background in psychology.