Agent TypeOrganisationHistoryThe Alma Unit on Women and Ageing was a unique research and teaching body initially located at the Key Centre for Women’s Health, School of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Melbourne. Established through a philanthropic grant awarded to the University of Melbourne by Fleur Spitzer OAM, the unit was formally launched at University of Melbourne in March 1996 by Betty Freidan at University House.
Under the leadership of Professor Lorraine Dennerstein, then Director of the Key Centre for Women’s Health, the unit was recognised for its contribution it made to multidisciplinary research and teaching on older women’s health and wellbeing. The unit was the first of its kind in Australia with a focus on the quality of the ageing experience for older women.
By taking a broad psychosocial approach to ageing, and in recognition that gender does matter, the research undertaken by this unit was innovative and ground breaking with relevance to the broader community, policy makers and service delivery as well as through academic research, teaching and its student community. The academic staff at the Alma Unit provided substantial input into academic knowledge, publications, research and teaching about the experience of ageing for women from a diverse range of social and cultural backgrounds. Staff at the Key Centre were involved in teaching of international students through a series of short courses on women’s health.
The Alma Unit's work has led to international recognition, collaborations and publications and it was regarded as a leader in the field. The work of the Director Dr Susan Feldman and other staff inspired a generation of research students and colleagues through collaborations with other academic institutions and provided the impetus for others to enter into this field of endeavour. A number of key researchers from around the world visited the centre on sabbatical or study leave contributing to the vibrant intellectual life of the unit and in particular publications and research opportunities.
The unit staff produced books, chapters, academic papers, public forums and seminars, exhibitions and conferences and achieved nationally competitive grants including ARC. Staff also undertood engagements beyond the academcy, taking part in radio, television and print interviews. The Alma Unit also provided the environment and supervision of higher degree post graduate students.
Between 1997 and 2000, the Alma Unit moved and became part of the newly-established Centre for the Study of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine. In 2001, Alma Unit relocated to Victoria University, and subsequently to Monash University. Ms Spitzer continued her financial support through this period until the unit closed in 2013.
Alma Unit for Women and Ageing (1994-). University of Melbourne Archives, accessed 01/04/2026, https://archives.library.unimelb.edu.au/nodes/view/57685
