We spend a moment with Professor Sue Gordon, whose work in the delivery of health initiatives to older people is of critical importance in the wake of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

What is your role and what does your work focus on?

I am Professor of Healthy Ageing, a role I’ve been in for just over five years. It’s a co-funded position between ACH group, an aged care provider, and Flinders University. I enjoy the collaborative opportunities that an industry academic role provides, particularly being able to bring my skills sets to assist direct changes in the delivery of health initiatives to older people.

What journey brought you to this point in your career?

I worked as a physiotherapist for a long time, mostly in rural remote SA. I decided to do a PhD, to understand the relationship between pillow use, anthropometry (body shape and size) and waking headache, neck and thoracic pain. I did that part-time and externally with a musculoskeletal private practice, two children and 10 sheep! When James Cook University in Townsville advertised for a musculoskeletal physiotherapist, with rural and remote experience and a PhD to write the musculoskeletal subjects for a new physiotherapy program, I applied. I spent 10 years there, many of those as the Head of the Physiotherapy Discipline and then as Deputy Dean of the College of Healthcare Sciences.

I had a great time there working with parasitologists and microbiologists looking at a neglected tropical disease called lymphatic filariasis that causes lymphedema – the greatest global cause of disability. I was part of field studies in Myanmar, Bangladesh and PNG and worked closely with colleagues to alter WHO policies for better prevention and disability management.

I’ve always worked in multi-disciplinary teams with a focus on health, maintenance and restoration of function – and this led me to apply for my current role.

Can you describe a challenge in your life and how you dealt with it?

I try to approach all challenges in life with a cheerful disposition, acknowledgement that things could be worse – and I’m mindful that a bit of reflection and gratitude go a long way. And, of course, sheer hard work will help get you through.

What are you most proud of?

My children, their partners and my soon-to-be-born first grandchild.

What does a normal day look like for you?

It’s hectic. I have three work spaces – one at Tonsley, one at the headquarters of ACH group and one at Vita, which is an aged care facility. Depending on what day it is in the week, my commitments mean that I move between these different spaces. I have roles across 12 HRD students, so there’s also lots of supervision commitments and multiple joint projects between ACH Group and Flinders to contribute to as well.

How do you like to relax or spend your spare time?

I love a good movie, going to live theatre, and I have a Crows season ticket. We bike ride, kayak or swim most weekends, and have been walking the Heysen Trail for a while now – but still have about 800 kilometres still to go!