The Seniors Peak Body is about amplifying the voice of older West Australians. One way we do this is by facilitating the Consumer Reference Group.
Meet two of its members, Amina Schipp and Ron de Gruchy. While they’re from different walks of life, they share a passion for making positive change.
Meet Amina Schipp
Amina Schipp, the Consumer Refence Group’s (CRG) Chairperson, brings not only years of advocacy experience, but also a deeply personal understanding of the aged care system.
Amina’s journey into advocacy began while caring for her mother for more than 15 years. After her mother entered residential aged care, Amina witnessed serious gaps in care and, following a traumatic experience at the end of her mother’s life, made a commitment to help drive change across the sector. Amina explains, “I vowed I would fight for reform within the aged care space… I didn’t want anyone else to go through such a traumatic loss.”
Since then, she has become a passionate advocate for older people, contributing to government submissions, attending forums and roundtables, and working closely with aged care stakeholders and policymakers. She also spent two years on the Older Person’s Advocacy Network’s, National Older Persons Reference Group.
Amina shared with us her proudest moment in her seven years of advocacy was feeling heard as part of a Canberra Roundtable meeting by retired Greens Senator Janet Rice (Senator Penny Allman-Payne’s predecessor), who understood and supported the concerns she raised about the aged care system in 2023.
“I had promised myself that ‘one day’ I would stand in Parliament House and speak up – and I did.”
Amina believes her greatest strength is the perspective she has gained as a long-term family carer. “I learnt a lot about emotional support as well as physical care and the importance of listening so there were no unmet needs,” she says. “I am much more empathetic now and understand how difficult it is to have others help you when you are frail and vulnerable.”
By being part of the CRG, Amina hopes to ensure the voices of older people, families and carers are heard. She is passionate about co-design and believes meaningful change happens when organisations listen directly to those affected.
With her lived experience, empathy and extensive advocacy background, Amina brings a valuable consumer perspective to the Consumer Reference Group and its work.
Meet Ron de Gruchy
Ron de Gruchy brings decades of leadership, community service and advocacy to Advocare’s CRG. His commitment to getting involved began during his career in the Commonwealth Public Service, where he volunteered as secretary of his workplace social club before becoming president.
After retiring in 1994, Ron joined the Superannuated Commonwealth Officers’ Association. He became involved with its committee in the early 2000s and later became president, a position he still holds. In 2008, he also founded the WA Seniors Alliance, strengthening the collective voice of older Western Australians. In 2017 he was awarded the Order of Australia medal for ‘services to the community.’
Through this work, Ron has developed a practical understanding of how to influence change. “I have been putting in submissions to the government for the last 20 years,” he says. As a result, this experience has given him a strong understanding of advocacy and government processes.
Ron’s ongoing persistence has been a constant theme and is demonstrated in his campaign for a 50-metre pool at Craigie Leisure Centre. Beginning in 2003, he spent seven years working with councillors, council staff and local schools to build support. When the pool was finally delivered, he was invited to be take part in the ceremonial first dig. “It was a marvellous experience, and I’m very proud of that achievement.”
In terms of his input into the CRG, Ron is particularly interested in financial concessions for seniors, the cost and complexity of aged care, and access to essential services. He is also concerned that older people may be left behind as more services move online, like banking. His concern is its impact, particularly on older people.
“We’re told that we should live in a society without cash, but there are a lot of people, due to mobility issues, transport issues, who can’t get to a bank all the time, or they don’t understand how to use a card, and it’s only post offices now.”
His motivation to serve the community? He says: “I looked around and I thought, there’s other people more deserving than me.” His experience, persistence and commitment help ensure the voices of older people are heard.
We thank both Amina and Ron for their contribution to the CRG. These two members are ready to make a significant impact for seniors. Find out more about the Consumer Refence Group and the Seniors Peak Body’s work by visiting Advocare’s website: https://advocare.org.au/wa-seniors-peak/
(Pictured L-R: CRG members Ron, Lenka and Amina)
