About Us

The Communities of Respect was founded by Maria Berry in 2019. Maria lives in rural Victoria and has been working in rural health for over 20 years. Maria is passionate about building respect for older people. 

About Maria Berry

• Health Consumer Representative Roles
• Department of Health and Human Services Victoria: Participation on the following project/advisory groups
  • Age Friendly Communities – Dr Kathleen Brasher Leader
  • Social Connections for Older People
  • Best Care of Older People in Hospital
• COTA VIC: Home care packages co-design Project
• Senior Rights Australia: Consumer Representative for  Elder Abuse Action Australia Group
• NSW Ethnic Community Council: Participant in the Speak My Language project launched in 2018
• Victorian Clinical Leadership Group into improving Care of Older People
  
• Plenary Speaker at the 5th National Elder Abuse Conference 2018 , conferences and forums nationally

Qualifications

•  Diploma of Nursing Beechworth Health
• Alpine Valley Community Leadership Program
• Certificate IV Training and Assessment