The COTA SA Policy Council consists of a representative group of older people with an active interest in the issues relating to seniors and a commitment to ensuring that seniors have a strong voice in the community.
Policy Council members come from a diverse range of backgrounds including migrant and indigenous communities and veterans and have represented their communities in a variety of ways over many years. All have demonstrated a deep and long-standing commitment to policy development and representation.
Chris Overland - Chair
Chris has extensive knowledge and experience in areas of importance and relevance to COTA. He is committed to making a positive contribution to the work of COTA and brings valuable experience in policy development and program management to the Board.
Anne MegawAnne has been involved in aged care issues for many years and represented COTA SA on several organisations including Aged Care Accreditation Agency Liaison group and Central Consumer Carers Advisory Council of Glenside Campus and Northern Adelaide Mental Health Services.
Anne is also a member of the Policy Council. With her strong interest in policy matters Anne will continue to help COTA SA represent the interests of all seniors.
Evelyn O’Loughlin
Evelyn has been involved in aged care service management since 2004, initially as General Manager of the Greek Orthodox Community of South Australia. An Executive Board member of Multicultural Aged Care since 2005, Evelyn has a keen interest in policy, first developed during her work in the Policy and Planning department of the Children’s Services Office.
Evelyn recognises that older people, especially those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds – have special needs and require particular representation.
Originally a secondary school teacher, Evelyn has worked in a range of Government and private industry management positions and spent 11 years in Europe, working in upmarket tourism management before moving to Hertz Europe’s head office in
She returned to
Margaret Kerby Thorburn (Kerby)
Kerby is a retired registered nurse with many years of experience working with older people. She has extended her interest in meeting and working with older people by becoming one of COTA SA's Peer Educators. Kerby also co-ordinates ‘Telecross’ in Kapunda, is a member of her local Neighbourhood Watch, and continues her education through the University of the 3rd Age.
Kerby brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to the Policy Council and is passionate about issues that affect older people, particularly those affecting people living in rural communities.
Dennis Cripps
Dennis joined the Policy Council at its February 2008 meeting. He brings a wealth of knowledge about issues that affect older people. Since retiring Dennis has found his life to be very busy. For a number of years he represented Salisbury residents on the Public Housing Tenant Forum and has been a representative on a number of other organisations some of which are; Royal Air Forces Association, Salisbury Task Force on the Ageing, SA Pensioners, ARPA Broadview, Salisbury Transport Advisory Group, People for Public Transport and Stroke SA among others. Dennis was the 2007 President of the Retired Persons Association and is currently its Vice President.
Dennis is a strong supporter of equal opportunities for women and has a long association as an advocate for public transport and the provision of low cost housing for older people.
Joan Stone
Joan is a longstanding member of the COTA SA Policy Council, and represents COTA SA on the SA Dental Service Consumer Advisory Panel. Joan came to Council as a member of COPARP, the Council of Pensioners and Retired People.
As the President of the SA Retirement Villages Resident’s Association (SARVRA), Joan has lobbied tirelessly for amendments to the Retirement Villages Act. In 2004 the industry body, Retirement Villages Association, recognised the contribution Joan has made to the industry itself with a commendation at its conference in Adelaide.
Joan was until recently on the Board of COTA SA and a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board on Ageing.
Joan is the chair of the Aged Rights Advocacy Service (ARAS). In recognition of her wide ranging advocacy for older people Joan was one of four finalists in 2005 for Senior Australian of the Year in SA.
In 2008 Joan was awarded Life Membership of COTA SA for her outstanding contribution to the organisation.
In 2009 Joan was honoured again through her inclusion in the South Australian Women’s Honour Roll which acknowledges and celebrates South Australian women and their contribution to our society.
Ray Edwards
Ray joined the COTA SA Policy Council in 2002. He co-chaired the Council with Barbara Garrett until 2004.
Ray is the COTA A National Representative and Director of “The National Return & Disposal of Unwanted Medicines Ltd” the ‘RUM Project’. He is also a committee member of the Low Income Measures Assessment Committee (LIMAC).
Ray has a long history of involvement in community service and brings a wealth of knowledge about issues that affect the older members of our community. He served 15 years with the Rotary Club of Holdfast Bay Inc. from 1981 - 1996. He held most positions including President and Secretary, and was twice awarded a Paul Harris Fellow award.
Michael (Mick) Curry (B Econ.)
