Val has been involved in aged care and dementia advocacy for many years, beginning as an observer of dementia on the family in the 1960’s, a carer for her husband (2006-2013), becoming a dementia advocate in 2006, leading a support group for carers (2011-present) as a former carer and now becoming a participant in the system for herself.
Along the way she has become a member of COTA and OPAN, served with the Federal Government’s Council of Elders (2021-2025). Val received the OAM in 2022 and more recently was awarded the Local Woman of the year for the Keira electorate in NSW.