In her presentation ‘Making a difference – respect responsibility’, Ms Alberti spoke of her passion for Australian rules football, in particular the Western Bulldogs, and her campaign to support research into juvenile diabetes.

Ms Alberti’s daughter and only child, Danielle, was diagnosed with Type-1 diabetes at only 12 years of age, and succumbed to her illness in 2001 at age 32 while on a flight home from the United States to receive a kidney transplant.

As Ms Alberti pointed out, she was ill-prepared for the consequences and the discovery that juvenile diabetes represented, one of the major unknowns of medical science. Moreover, with its incidence increasing as a demanding health issue that places significant pressures on all family members, Ms Alberti began her personal campaign – now of almost 30 years’ duration – of working to raise the public knowledge of juvenile diabetes, supporting research teams working in the area, and assisting to raise funding to support their work.

Ms Alberti’s support of juvenile diabetes has seen her become President of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation of Australia, Chair of St Vincent’s Institute Foundation for Medical Research, and awarded International Volunteer of the Year in 2003.

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Ms Alberti spoke of her determination and resolve that came as a result of inheriting the role of Managing Director of industrial building group Dansu Group upon the untimely death of her husband, Angelo. Having 350 people employed at Dansu suddenly at her behest, Ms Alberti inherited another role of responsibility in her life, yet another one in which she excelled.

A passion for football and the Western Bulldogs has made Ms Alberti a household name amongst Bulldogs supporters, having recently been given the mantle as ‘saviour’ of the club by Captain Brad Scott.

Ms Alberti’s position as board member of the club was duly noted – as was Bob Gration’s commitment to the team, being the only APIA member present to have attended the Bulldog’s sole premiership win in 1954!

Ms Alberti’s determination to remain positive about life and make a difference, after suffering great personal losses, was inspiring to members and guests.

CNC Project Management and McConnell Dowell were sponsors of the event.