The 2025 Faculty of Psychiatry of Old Age (FPOA) Conference brought together clinicians, trainees, researchers and leaders from across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand for three energising days of discussion and connection. The program spanned acute hospital psychiatry, dementia care, human rights, emerging treatments and new technologies, reflecting the breadth of contemporary old age psychiatry. The conference opened with a trainee afternoon exploring acute hospital work, memory clinics and reversible dementia, followed by a SATPOA update and welcome reception.

Day one featured a keynote from Professor Elizabeth Sampson on why delirium matters, reinforcing delirium as core business across inpatient, liaison and community settings. Invited sessions covered human rights and global ageing, ADHD across the lifespan, sexuality in dementia and AI in clinical care. The day concluded with faculty prize presentations, a members’ forum and a conference dinner, where attendees enjoyed sunset views and heard Dr Neville Hill reflect on his career in old age psychiatry.

Day two shifted focus to emerging treatments, public health and service development, with sessions examining diabetes and mood, monoclonal antibodies for dementia, mental health in remote Aboriginal communities and prolonged grief in later life. Free paper sessions showcased work in cognitive stimulation therapy, autism assessment in later life, occupational violence and advance care planning. A standout session was Dr Carolyn Orr’s presentation on Air Pollution, Climate Change and the Brain, outlining the links between climate change, air pollution and cognitive and neuropsychiatric outcomes, and reframing climate change as an immediate issue for brain health in later life.

The Faculty extends special thanks to the conference organising committee, and in particular Katrina, for making the meeting run so smoothly. Sincere thanks also to all presenters who travelled from near and far to share their expertise, including Professor Elizabeth Sampson, Professor Carmelle Peisah, Professor Mark Bellgrove, Professor Osvaldo Almeida, Professor Leon Flicker, Professor Michael Browning, Dr Carolyn Orr, Dr Jessica Dumble, Dr Matthew Croucher, Dr Stephen Fenner, Dr Monique O’Connor, Dr Christopher Brand, Dr Timothy Hender, Dr Claire Wise, A/Professor Gary Cheung, A/Professor Yoram Barak, A/Professor Sarah Cullum, A/Professor Anne Wand, Bronwyn Cutler, Alex Jenkins, and Dr Jasdeep Gill. We also thank all session chairs for guiding discussions and keeping the program running seamlessly.

Overall, the FPOA 2025 Conference struck a strong balance – practical, forward-looking and collegial – leaving attendees with renewed momentum for the year ahead. We are all looking forward to coming together again at the next FPOA Conference in Cairns.