Mable’s new independent advisory council for aged care

At Mable, our vision is for an inclusive society where everyone belongs.

To achieve this vision, we put our community at the centre of everything we do. We practise human-centred design and seek feedback so we can improve continuously. 

Since 2020, Mable’s External Advisory Council has played an important role in guiding our business and the platform. 

It has helped us ensure we align with the views and goals of older Australians, people with disability and the Independent Support Workers who give and receive support via Mable.

In 2023, based on feedback from Council members, we divided the External Advisory Council into two. One would focus on disability and the other on aged care.

Meet the members of the Mable’s Independent Advisory Council for Aged Care 

Gwenda Darling

Gwenda Darling is a proud Palawa woman, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who lives in rural NSW on the Victorian border.

Living with a diagnosis of BvFTD (behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia) for 11 years, Gwenda, an aged care package recipient since 2014, advocates and provides assistance to others in rural communities in navigating aged care services.

Gwenda is a member of the OPAN’s National Older Persons Reference Group, Member of Council of Elders, Dementia Australia Advocate, AdNET registry and other dementia research. 

Whether living in residential aged care or in their own homes, Gwenda believes all Australians have the right to age well, with their wishes respected. 

Helen Walne

Helen Walne self-manages her Level 3 Home Care Package (HCP). Before retiring, she worked in OH&S and rehabilitation management across the health and retail sectors. 

Helen is a member of the Older Persons Advisory Network’s (OPAN) National Older Persons Reference Group. She spends her time advocating for a better understanding and process of self-management through a more client-centred interpretation of the legislation for HCP recipients.

Willoughby Charlton (Will)

Will Charlton retired after working for over 55 years in the banking, financial planning, and small business sectors. His education was in accounting and marketing. 

Will has served in many volunteer jobs and committees in sporting clubs and associations with an interest in planning and actioning tasks with transparency, inclusiveness and good governance.

His political aspirations saw him elected to the Boroondara Council in Victoria for two terms from 1996. He stood promising to work hard for all constituents. 

Importantly, he proposed good financial management and budgeting, risk analysis, transparent rate setting, and efficient delivery of services. He chaired various committees and joint organisations to meet the challenges of delivery of community health, drug abuse and trafficking, and waste management over the ensuing 6 years.

Will is a passionate advocate for supporting mental health, wellness for the whole community and easing the challenges in ageing. He has a voice and wants to encourage a harmonious, united, thinking, compassionate community. No discrimination, including often misunderstood indirect discrimination and racial sensitivity. 

He recognises these aspirations as tall tasks involving cultural shifts, changes in values and thinking over time. He has wide experiences of a long life, raising a family, living and working in Asia.

Donna Green

​Donna Green has been a support worker since August 2020. She has a Diploma of Community Services, a Certificate 3 in Individual Support and a Certificate 4 in Ageing Support. 

Before joining Mable, Donna raised her two children and has lived and travelled overseas. Donna has always enjoyed helping others, so she was naturally drawn towards support work. 

As a member of the Advisory Council, Donna brings the voice of the support worker to the table.

Click here to email our Independent Advisory Council for Aged Care.

You can also read about Mable’s Independent Disability Advisory Council.