Rural Ageing Futures: Research, Practice, Policy and Community

The Victorian Universities Regional Research Network (VURRN), in partnership with the John Richards Centre for Rural Ageing Research at La Trobe University, is convening a forum to explore the opportunities and challenges associated with ageing in place across rural and regional Victoria.

Victoria has more than 350 regional and rural towns with ageing populations. Older residents play vital roles in the social, cultural and economic life of their communities while also requiring a wide range of services, supports and enabling environments to remain healthy, connected and engaged.

This forum aims to bring together people who are working in or impacted by ageing in rural and regional communities to explore what contributes to ageing in place, and how place-based research can help inform policy, services and community responses across diverse regional settings.

The forum will focus on all aspects of ageing in regional and rural settings, including (but not limited to):

• ageing in place, including on farm

• economic and workforce issues

• environmental pressures including climate change

• health and community care

• housing, mobility and liveability

• place-based and community-led initiatives

• volunteering, community participation and wellbeing

Participants will have the opportunity to:

• share current research and community interests and projects

• identify common themes and priorities

• explore collaborative and comparative research opportunities

• contribute to the development of future cross-institutional partnerships and research initiatives

VURRN Forum 3 Sept 2026 - map of Bendigo LTU campus.pdf

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