In her 35 years of journalism across radio, television, print and publishing, Ros Thomas has reported from newsrooms, bureaus and international crisis zones around the world.

She is currently the features writer for The Weekend Australian Magazine specialising in social affairs. For her work in the Magazine last year, she was named the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance’s Freelance Journalist of the Year.

Ros was made a Winston Churchill Fellow in 2024 for her global research into the emerging epidemic of loneliness and is a novelist with two West Australian best-sellers under her belt. This year, The Weekend Australian Magazine has published her explosive investigation into the AI cheating crisis at universities, and seminal essays on autism and dementia.

For eight years, Ros was the deputy chair of the WA Government’s Carers Advisory Council. She is the sole carer for her mother, diagnosed with dementia sixteen years ago.

When not furiously writing, she is a mother of three, none of whom read anything she writes!

At Conference 2026, Ros will share her unique insights, rich storytelling experience and thought-provoking reflections on the issues shaping our communities today. Her keynote promises to be both engaging and inspiring, offering valuable perspectives for professionals, carers and advocates alike.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Ros Thomas and connect with fellow sector professionals and carers at Conference 2026.