Lila Tonkin

Dementia nurse and advocate

2026 NT Young Australian of the Year Nominee

As a registered nurse and the youngest member of the leadership team at Dementia Support Australia, Lila Tonkin’s mission is to ensure that everyone who lives with dementia can access the support they need to live a full and happy life.  

For Lila, this includes people living in remote communities, where she pioneers the delivery of dementia services to communities yet to be reached by Dementia Support Australia. In this role, she prioritises culturally safe dementia support for First Nations people.  

Passionate about raising dementia awareness and understanding within the community, Lila spearheads captivating educational initiatives for organisations such as Northern Territory Health and various aged care organisations. She also takes the time to mentor other staff who work at Dementia Support Australia. 

Through innovation and creative service delivery models, Lila strives to improve the care provided to people living with dementia, reducing stigma and improving quality of life.