In conjunction with the Australasian Journal on Ageing (AJA), we are delighted to announce the establishment of a prestigious new award to honour the legacy of founding AAG member and Life Member, Ruth Inall OAM.
The Ruth Inall Award for Cross Cultural Collaboration will be awarded annually for articles published in the AJA that demonstrate, stimulate or support international collaboration and knowledge exchange, including within the Asia Oceania Region.
The award has been established to recognise the outstanding contribution made by Ruth, who served as Executive Secretary of International Association of Gerontology and geriatrics Asia Oceania Region (IAGG-AOR) for four decades. Ruth was instrumental in the development of IAGG’s Asia Oceania Regional committee in the late 70s and early 1980s, working closely with her Japanese counterpart, the late Professor Hajimi Orimo, who represented the Japan Federation of Gerontological Studies and later served as IAGG-AOR President from 1997-2001.
Ruth acknowledges the important role played in the 1980s and 90s by her colleague and friend, Professor Orimo, as well as other regional representatives, in bridging the cultural divide between east and west - providing important cultural education and promoting knowledge, understanding and trust between the different countries within our diverse region.
Award details
Eligibility and selection criteria and other details are currently being finalised, with the award to be formally launched at the AAG Annual General Meeting 2026 and inaugural award planned for 2027.
Pictured: Above Left - Dr Richard (Dick) Maxwell Gibson with Ruth Inall, circa. 1960s; Right – Ruth Inall OAM at her 100th birthday celebration in 2025.
Pictured above: Ruth Inall and Dick Gibson, Japan circ. 1978
About Ruth Inall:
Ruth Inall OAM was a founding member of AAG in 1964. She was AAG’s Secretary/Treasurer from 1967 to 1987 while also serving as the founding Secretary/Treasurer of the Asia/Oceania Region of the International Association of Gerontology from 1978 to 1991. She became Executive Secretary of IAGG-AO in 1991 and served in that role until September 2022.
She was awarded the Presidential Medal of the International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics in 1999 at the Asia-Oceania Regional Congress in Seoul in recognition for ‘Services to the international community in gerontology’. Ruth turned 100 on 5 July 2025.