Cognitive Stimulation Therapy Australia
Governance
Executive Committee
CST Australia is guided by a volunteer Executive Committee of researchers, dementia care specialists, and policy experts. They meet at least three times a year and are united by the goal of improving outcomes for people living with dementia and their supporters, everywhere in Australia.
For more information about the Executive Committee see our Terms of Reference
Become a member
CST Australia membership is open to anyone who shares our commitment to expanding access to CST in Australia. Members form the CST Australia Membership Group, which meets three times a year and contributes to decision-making for the organisation.
If you're interested in CST and want to have a say in how CST Australia grows, we encourage you to apply for membership.
Download the membership application form
Community of practice
The CST Australia Community of Practice connects facilitators, researchers, organisations, and community members involved in or interested in CST. It's a space for shared learning, collaboration, and staying connected with what's happening in the field.
The Community of Practice meets three times a year.
Facilitator support group
The facilitator support group is a forum for CST facilitators to share experiences, strengthen their practice, and support each other in delivering CST.
CST Australia 2026 Meeting Schedule
Please note the meeting schedule is subject to change
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For CST Training dates please click here
Meet the Executive Committee
Robyn Lewis
President
Churchill Fellow 2020
PhD Candidate, University of Canberra​
Robyn Lewis is a full time PhD candidate in the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation, University of Canberra, researching small-scale residential dementia care. In 2020, Robyn was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to explore yoga for cognitive stimulation in people with dementia. Robyn subsequently initiated the Australian Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (CST) Working Group in 2022 to increase the awareness and traction of CST in Australia​
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0432 778 271
Isobel Sanger​
Vice President
CST Master Trainer
Senior Research Associate
Centre for Ageing Research and Translation
University of Canberra
Isobel Sanger is an occupational therapist (OT) and Senior Research Associate in the Centre for Ageing Research and Translation, University of Canberra. Isobel was appointed as the Australian CST Master trainer in 2023, and has trained more than 300 health and aged care workers to deliver CST since then. Isobel has held clinical and leadership positions in acute, sub-acute and community allied health settings.​​
0466 249 012
Nathan D'Cunha
Treasurer
Associate Professor
Centre for Ageing Research and Translation, University of Canberra​
Associate Professor Nathan D'Cunha is a researcher at the University of Canberra and ACT Health Research and Innovation Fellow. His work focuses on rehabilitation and reablement for people with dementia and their care partners, intergenerational care, allied health in residential aged care, and nutrition for healthy ageing. He is Co-deputy Chair of the ACT Government's Ministerial Advisory Council for Ageing and chairs the ACT Division of the Australian Association of Gerontology.
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02 6206 8585
Naomi Moylan
Secretary
Dementia Support Specialist, Brightwater Care Group
Naomi Moylan is an occupational therapist and Dementia Support Specialist with Brightwater Care Group, where she develops young-onset dementia specific accommodation and Allied Health services. Naomi is trained in dementia interventions like CST, Care Of People with dementia in their Environments (COPE) and Tailored Activity Program (TAP). She is a member of the OT Australia Aged Care National Reference Group and the Australia Dementia Network YOD Special Interest Group Executive.
0456 371 061
Tamara Sysak
Ordinary Member
Lecturer, Social Work University of the Sunshine Coast
Dr Tamara Sysak is a social worker and academic with over 20 years interdisciplinary practice and research experience. Tamara has a passion for working with older people to support healthy ageing in the community. After running Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and rapidly seeing the benefits for people with dementia and their carers, she has returned to academia with the aim of finding ways to embed CST more widely in the community.
07 5430 2890
Nikki Gilbertson
Ordinary Member
General Manager
Client Services
Dementia Australia
Nikki Gilbertson is a national General Manager of Client Services with Dementia Australia. Overseeing Commonwealth Home Support Programs, along with post diagnostic support programs, and dementia specific counselling services, Nikki holds a Bachelor of Social Community Welfare and Counselling, and MBA, with a strong focus on governance, risk and compliance. Nikki is new to CST but motivated to see it embedded into post diagnostic dementia care throughout Australia.
0429 426 049