The story so far
Since 2016, the Australian and New Zealand bid committee have travelled the world to seek your opinion on what makes a great IAGG World Congress and to understand what is important to our global community.
The following are key highlights from our journey so far...
 Formal bid submitted to IAGG (Dec 2020) |  "Aussie & NZ Hour" drinks at the IAGG European Region Congress 2019 (Gothenburg, Sweden) |  AAG Conference 2019 and ILC Workshop 2019 (Sydney, Australia) L-R: James Beckford Saunders, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Association of Gerontology; Professor Julie Byles, Proposed Co-Chair IAGG 2029; Baroness Sally Greengross OBE, President/Chief Executive of the International Longevity Centre UK; The Hon Brad Hazzard MP, NSW Minister for Health; Professor Keith Hill, Proposed Co-Chair IAGG 2029. |
|---|---|---|
 "Aussie and NZ Hour" drinks at IAGG Asia/Oceania Regional Congress 2019 (Taipei, Taiwan) |  Aussie and New Zealand Happy Hour drinks at the Woolloomooloo Bar during the 2019 IAGG Asia/Oceania Regional Congress (Taipei, Taiwan). L-R Professors Julie Byles, Cheng-Chieh Lin (IAGG Asia/Oceania Chairman Elect) |  Invited dinner in Taipei, Taiwan |
 James Beckford Saunders with new Philippines members of IAGG Asia/Oceania |
The IAGG 2029 logo was established from the very beginning of our journey, envisioning a collaboration between the diverse people of our many great nations. Each element is representative of our campaign and our intention to create an enduring contribution to the IAGG community.
Sydney Opera House: The land on which the Sydney Opera House stands is known to its traditional custodians, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, as Tubowgule, meaning "where the knowledge waters meet". The iconic shell-shaped roof inspired by Sydney’s cliffs and the sails on our harbour, the glass walls mirroring the movement of a seagull’s wing as it lifts and falls in flight - it is a meeting place for all people.
Boomerang: One of the most unique and distinctive emblems of Indigenous Australia, the boomerang also celebrates the oldest living culture in the world. The boomerang represents Indigenous peoples' 65,000-year links to this land and plays a key role in Aboriginal mythology, known as The Dreaming — mythical characters are said to have shaped the hills, valleys and rivers as they hunted, by throwing sticks. It is a symbol of enduring strength.
Silver fern: The koru is a spiral shape based on the appearance of a new unfurling silver fern frond. It is an integral symbol
in Māori art, carving and tattooing, where it symbolises new life, growth, strength and peace.
Globe: The globe is not only a representation of our world and diverse nations, it also symbolises communication, interaction and connectivity as well as furthering education and knowledge growth. Importantly, the globe represents the vision we hope to achieve – to nurture ongoing professional connections that embraces all cultures to improve the experience of ageing around the world.
Australia's commitment to the work of IAGG
“Right from the start the members of AAG knew there was much to learn about ageing, so we began to travel the world. Two of our members were in Copenhagen in 1963, three went to Vienna in ’66, one went to San Francisco in ’69 and on his return said, “many more of us have to participate in the IAGG congresses”.
And so began our group travel – to Kiev in 1972, Jerusalem ’75, tokyo’78, Hamburg ’81 and New York in ’85. By then we felt confident enough to bid for the Congress in 1997, led by Gary Andrews. We welcomed the world to Adelaide, Australia that year. But we continued to travel to the world and regional congresses representing an increasing number of disciplines.
Much has been happening since then in the field of gerontology and geriatrics. We invite the world to come to Sydney in 2029; see what we have learnt and what Australia has to offer.”
Ruth Inall OAM
AAG Life Member (1988) and Executive Secretary of the IAGG Asia/Oceania Region (1978 - Present)
AAG history
Click here to learn more about the history of the Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG), compiled by Janet Angel, with contributions from Dr Anna Howe, Professor Gary Andrews, Ruth Inall and Professor Arthur Everitt.
Top: Gary Andrews, Second Chair of the IAGG Asia/Oceania Region (1980 - 1991)
Left: Dick Gibson, Inaugural Chair of IAGG Asia/Oceania Region (1978 - 1980), and Ruth Inall, Executive Secretary of IAGG Asia/Oceania Region (1978 - Present)