#YODay #YODA
📅 Saturday 24 October 2026
📍 Ballina RSL Club, Spinnakers and Anchorage
🕥 Registration: 10.30 am
🎤 Official Program: 11.00 am – 11.45 am
🥪 Complimentary Light Lunch & Networking: 11.45am- 13.00pm
Payment methods: This event is offered on a pay-what-you-feel basis. Please contribute an amount that feels right for you and reflects the value of the event. Every contribution helps us cover event costs and continue supporting people impacted by younger onset dementia. Pay when you register or email us at admin@dementiainclusiveballina.org.au
Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance Inc. is a registered charity with Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status. Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible in Australia, and a receipt will be provided. Your contribution helps us continue supporting people living with younger onset dementia, their families and carers.
Join us for the Ballina launch of Younger Onset Dementia Awareness Day 2026 (#YODay #YODA)
Be part of an inspiring community event launching Younger Onset Dementia Awareness Day 2026
#YODay began in the United Kingdom in 2023 through Dementia Forward and has grown into an international movement. In 2025, Dementia Inclusive Ballina Alliance introduced #YODA and #YODAY in Australia. This year, activities are expanding across four Australian states, with a vision of bringing communities together across Australia, the United Kingdom and beyond.
Join us to hear from people with lived experience, leading dementia researchers and community leaders as we explore how simple community conversations can increase understanding of younger onset dementia and help you recognise symptoms early.
Whether you are just curious to learn more about younger onset dementia, living with younger onset dementia, a family member, carer, health professional, researcher, employer or community member, everyone is welcome.
Program
10.30 am
Registration
Tea and coffee on arrival.
11.00 am
Welcome and Acknowledgement of Country
11.02 am
Official Opening
(TBA)
Member for TBA
11.05 am
Living with Younger Onset Dementia
Chris McNally
Chris will share her personal experience of living with younger onset dementia and why greater awareness and community understanding matter.
11.10 am
Growing #YODay: From the UK to Australia and Beyond
Dr Sabrina Pit
Coordinator, Northern Rivers Younger Onset Dementia Carer Support Group
Co-Founder of #YODay Australia
Discover how YODAY began in the United Kingdom, how it came to Australia, and how a simple idea is growing into an international movement built on awareness, collaboration and hope.
11.15 am
Keynote Address
Younger Onset Dementia: Recognition, Understanding and Living Well
Dr Katya NumbersPostdoctoral Researcher & Senior Lecturer, Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), University of NSW, Sydney
Dr Katya Numbers is an internationally recognised dementia researcher whose work focuses on improving the lives of people living with dementia through research, communication and community engagement.
In this keynote presentation, Dr Numbers will explore current research on younger onset dementia, challenge common misconceptions and discuss how communities can better recognise, understand and support people living with younger onset dementia and their families.
11.35 am
The Wollemi Pine: A Symbol of Resilience, Hope and Connection
Professor Brent Summerell AM
Chief Scientist and Executive Director
Royal Botanic Garden Sydney
Discover the remarkable story of the Wollemi Pine, one of the world's oldest and rarest trees, and why it has become Australia's symbol of hope for YODAY, connecting communities across Australia and the United Kingdom.
11.45 am
Growing a Global Movement
A special message from Dementia Forward (United Kingdom), followed by an invitation to join the YODAY movement by hosting a community morning tea on 24 October each year.
11.50 am
Complimentary Light Lunch & Networking
Meet our speakers, connect with people living with younger onset dementia, families, carers, researchers, health professionals and community organisations, and continue the conversation over lunch.
Why #YODay?
It can take years to receive the right diagnosis, which often can be confused with other mental health problems. Early diagnosis is critical for a better quality of life.
People living with younger onset dementia often face challenges that differ from those diagnosed later in life, including:
Remaining in employment
Supporting children and families
Financial pressures
Accessing age-appropriate services
Navigating health, disability and aged care systems
Living with stigma and misunderstanding
#YODay encourages communities to come together, start conversations and increase awareness through one simple action, one convo or one event at a time.
Cost: FREE
Who should attend?
You
Change makers
People with a heart
People living with younger onset dementia
Families and carers
The Media
Health professionals
Lawyers
NDIS and social care professionals
Researchers
Students
Employers
Community organisations
Schools
Local government
Anyone interested in helping us create more dementia-inclusive communities
Together let's...
🌳 Plant Hope.
☕ Grow Awareness.
🌍 Build One Global Community.
24 October 2026
Younger Onset Dementia Awareness Day
#YODA #YODAY
For more information contact:
admin@dementiainclusiveballina.org.au
Dr Sabrina Pit 04 29 45 5720
*Subject to change. Limited to 120 people.
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