With both the ADEA and I celebrating more than 3 decades in Diabetes Education, I am using this opportunity to reflect on our respective journeys in the provision of diabetes education. To set the scene for this reflection I also plan to provide a brief history of our progress in the provision of diabetes education in this country, even prior to ADEA coming into being.

I also plan to outline what I perceive as the challenges in our profession today and where I believe the role of the diabetes educator needs to go in the future.

The difficulties I experienced in researching for this presentation led me to identify a need for ADEA to archive its history. To this end I have sought the Board’s support to implement this archive and that recommendation has been taken on board and I will announce their plans during the presentation.

This presentation has come together with the help of many people and I want to take the opportunity to thank each and every one who provided photographs and stories.