Everald Compton's anniversary adventure
NSA founder is celebrating his birthday with a walk around Uluru. You can support him.
Philanthropist and seniors advocate Everald Compton AO is lacing up his sneakers as he prepares to walk the 11km circumference of Uluru on October 5 to celebrate a trifecta of achievements, including his 95th birthday, while raising funds for Dorcas ACTS to support Australians facing crises.
Mr Compton is also celebrating the 70th anniversary of commencing work as founding CEO of Brisbane’s St Andrews War Memorial Hospital in 1956 and the 50th anniversary of founding National Seniors Australia (NSA) in 1976.
He set the challenge of this long-distance walk to show older Australians are capable of more than they are given credit for.
“Too often older Australians are overlooked and cast aside – viewed as a burden as opposed to an opportunity. Yet, we have experience, skills, and talents to contribute to society and continue to make a difference, just as we always have,” Mr Compton said.
“I have chosen to mark these three milestones – my birthday, the 70th anniversary of Saint Andrews Hospital, and the 50th anniversary of NSA by completing a long-distance walk on the very day I turn 95 to prove older people are productive and shouldn’t be written off!”
“In addition to its cultural significance, I have chosen Uluru for this milestone event as I consider it the spiritual heart of Australia – the perfect place to pause and reflect on all I’m thankful for, all I have achieved, and all I am yet to achieve, including the completion of my work as the ‘Founding Father’ of the Inland Railway, which I began to advocate 30 years ago in 1996, and leading the Lucinda Society in advocating long overdue changes to the now out-of-date Australian Constitution.
“For the past year, I have walked regularly and gradually increased my distance. Together with the support of my wife, Helen, who has wonderfully shared my life for 68 years, we will be joined at Uluru by more than 30 walkers and fundraisers.
“I am determined to complete the 11 kilometres and to raise $100,000 for Dorcas ACTS, a charity I founded at the Aspley Uniting Church 15 years ago, which provides compassionate financial support for those in need.”
Arguably, no-one can better attest to Everald’s steadfast resolve than NSA CEO, Chris Grice, who leads the peak consumer advocacy body for older Australians that Everald founded at the age of just 45 – a good two decades before most people are considered ‘senior’.
“That Everald had the vision to start a group of ‘seniors supporting seniors’ well ahead of his own senior years goes to show his drive,” Mr Grice said.
“That he is still actively involved in work to help improve the lives of seniors shows his dedication.
“Thanks to Everald, for 50 years older Australians have had a national voice on issues that impact their daily lives. Everything from health and aged care to the Age Pension, retirement income, housing, mature age employment, and more.
“Importantly, as much as NSA is about promoting the needs and interests of older Australians, we're also about promoting their value and contribution, as seen through the vast numbers who volunteer, mentor, and work.
“The government's newly released Intergenerational Report 2026 shows over the next 40 years an ageing population will grow demand for and sustain pressure on health, aged care, and support services.
“While the government recognises the need to boost productivity, it fails to recognise one of the best ways to do this is to better support the ageing population, especially pensioners who want to work to sustain their lifestyle and enhance their communities by simply paying a fair rate of tax.
“At almost 95 years old and still heavily engaged in his community and beyond – there is no finer example of ‘value and contribution’ than Everald. As CEO of the advocacy body Everald founded back in 1976, I am honoured to continue his legacy and proud to call him a friend.
“On behalf of the team at National Seniors Australia and our growing network of more than 300,000 community members, we wish Everald all the best for his walk and of course, we wish him a very happy 95th birthday!”
Everald’s 11km guided walk around Uluru will start at sunrise (6:20am) on Monday 5 October 2026. Led by Everald and his wife Helen, more than 30 walkers will celebrate Everald’s remarkable milestones and fundraise for Dorcas ACTS. For more information about how to donate, click here.
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