Past Chairs Mr Ian McRae AO

Ian was the inaugural Chair of AFTDA - at the time he was caring for his wife Gael. Initially a Chartered Accountant, he spent much of his working life in the performing arts, first at the Victorian Arts Centre during its construction, opening and early operation. He then moved to become General Manager of The Australian Ballet and subsequentially a member of numerous arts company Boards.

Past Board Members
Helen
Helen James
Helen cares for her husband Gordon.  He was diagnosed in 2005, aged 65, with Semantic Dementia, which is a variant of FTD.
Helen spent her career in the corporate environment and continues to use her expertise through various roles in Probus and volunteering her time at the Alzheimer’s Association. She is passionate and committed to educating and supporting carers not only about the disease, but the far reaching impacts each stage can have on family and friends. Helen’s goal is to improve the awareness of Dementia and to support fundraising for further research into this debilitating disease.