Cliff Picton is former Ombudsman at La Trobe University, Associate Dean (International), and Head of the School of Social Work and Social Policy. As an academic social worker Cliff taught and researched in ageing, disability and grief and loss. He has written a number of books and papers and has been a regular broadcaster on social issues. He was a founding member of the National Advisory Council of the ABC, served two terms of the Victorian Ministerial Advisory Council of Senior Victorians and a co -founder of the University of the Third Age movement in Australia.