Exploring what it means to age well
Dr Chloe Waddell (2015) has been awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology, following more than three years of research dedicated to understanding what it means to "age well" in Australia.
Graduating from Federation University Australia in May this year, Dr Waddell's research explored the experiences and perspectives of older Australians, addressing an increasingly important issue as Australia's population continues to live longer and healthier lives.
Recognising that there is currently no universally accepted definition of ageing well, Dr Waddell set out to better understand what contributes to quality of life in later years. She believed that gaining this understanding was essential to ensuring that support services, policies and care systems effectively meet the needs of older Australians.
As part of her research, Dr Waddell gathered insights from 722 Australians aged 65 years and over, as well as 13 Holocaust survivors now living in Australia. To the best of her knowledge, this was the first study to specifically explore ageing well among Holocaust survivors, whose experiences of significant childhood adversity, discrimination and marginalisation offered a unique perspective on resilience and wellbeing.
Through her research, Dr Waddell identified seven key components of ageing well: purpose in life, autonomy, independence, reasonable and manageable health, positive attitudes, active involvement in life, and social connectedness and belonging.
One of the most significant findings was the importance of maintaining a sense of purpose.
"The importance of purpose in life is a particularly novel finding," Dr Waddell explained. "I hope that people who support our older Australians are able to use these findings to help those around them to thrive."
Interestingly, the majority of participants considered themselves to be ageing well regardless of gender, health conditions or whether they had experienced the Holocaust. The findings suggest that ageing well is influenced by a combination of personal outlook, meaningful engagement and social connection rather than health alone.
Dr Waddell hopes her research will provide a practical framework for policymakers, aged-care providers, carers and older Australians themselves, helping to guide future support services and initiatives.
Throughout her doctoral studies, Dr Waddell received significant recognition for her research and communication skills. She was named Federation University's heat winner in the 2024 Three Minute Thesis competition and won the University's 2025 Visualise Your Thesis competition. The latter achievement saw her become Federation University's first international finalist in the competition.
She has also presented her research at local and national conferences and published her work in an academic journal.
Having attended Ballarat Grammar from Prep through to Year 12, graduating in 2015, Dr Waddell's achievement is a testament to her dedication to research, lifelong learning and making a meaningful contribution to the wellbeing of others.
The Ballarat Grammar community congratulates Dr Waddell on this outstanding accomplishment and looks forward to seeing the continued impact of her work in shaping conversations around ageing and wellbeing in Australia.
Acknowledgement of Country
Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we learn, live and work, the Wadawurrung People, and recognises their continuing connection to the land and waterways. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend this to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Commitment to Child Safety
Ballarat Grammar maintains a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child abuse and actively implements measures to identify and manage any risks of harm to students within our school environment. The care, safety and wellbeing of children and young people are central and fundamental responsibilities of the School. We are firmly committed to fostering a child-safe culture that provides an environment where students are safe and feel safe, where their participation is valued, their views respected, and their voices heard in decisions that affect their lives. Ballarat Grammar values diversity and strictly prohibits any racist or discriminatory practices. All members of our school community share the responsibility to care for children and young people by promptly raising any concerns regarding their safety, promoting their wellbeing, and protecting them from all forms of harm or abuse.
