SHPER
Youth Advisory Board
Are you passionate about sexual health and sex education?
Do you want to have your say about young people and their sexual health needs?
Then this paid opportunity might be for you!
About
The Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La Trobe University has convened a Youth Advisory Board (YAB) for the multi-study project “Building an Integrated Approach to Supporting Sexual Health Promotion and Education among Young People”, funded by the Commonwealth Department of Health. This project is hoping to support young people and their needs regarding sexual health and education.
The YAB are a diverse group of 10-15 young people aged between 18 and 24 that meet once every six months to discuss and provide insight on topics of sexual health promotion and education among young people.
Meet the Board!
Alexis Pallister
Alexis (she/her) has recently completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology and Counselling and is currently engaged in an Honours of Psychology. She volunteers at We Are Womxn, an evidence-based, trauma-informed organisation using education initiatives and the creation of safe spaces to empower and educate young women and gender-diverse individuals across Western Australia. Alexis has a great desire to diminish stigmas, promote sexual inclusion and empower the community by combining education and psychology.
Gabbi Colloff
Hi, I'm Gabbi! I'm 18 and a proud South Australian.
I’m a social person, I like getting out there, talking to new people, travelling to different places, welcoming new experiences and living in the moment!
Pronouns: She/Her
Ethnicity: Chinese
Interests: Politics and health promotion, more specifically sexual health and wellbeing!
Hobbies: Gardening, creating content for social media (editing videos, writing posts) and baking!
Matthew Oxford
My name is Matthew (he/him), I am 23 years old, l live in Perth WA and use He/Him pronouns. I work as a hairdresser and I am also pursuing a degree in nursing. As a member of the LGBTQI+ community, I am committed to advocating for inclusive, safe, and accessible sexual education and healthcare for everyone.
Samuel Carter
I am a law and psychology student at the Australian National University in Canberra. Having grown up in regional Western Australia, I have found a passion for addressing ongoing discrepancies in youth services and sexual health. I am proud to be a member of SHPER’s Youth Advisory Board to action my passion, and share my experiences with a goal of improving education and health outcomes around sex in regional and metropolitan Australia.
Beth Goninon
HI! My name is Beth, and my pronouns are they/them. I’m a 23-year-old university student hailing from Hobart, Tasmania. As a nursing student I have a passion for health, particularly sexual health, and health promotion. I am excited to provide some unique insights as someone who is queer, transgender, and living with ADHD and chronic pain. In my spare time I crochet, paint, and watch my favourite streamers.
Is Hay
Is Hay (they/them) is a disabled, queer, trans, mad, autistic young person living on stolen Wurundjeri Woiwurrung country. They work in the disability & accessibility space and are currently studying Mental Health Peer Work, all with the aim to support other marginalised young people like themselves to have access to world they need. They have 2 cats, a lizard and give or take 100+ plants.
Momoko Rose
My name is Momo (she/her) and I am a 24 year old Japanese-Australian from Melbourne. I love music and have had the pleasure of organising youth music events. I also front my own band and play guitar, keys and sing. I am currently completing a Cert IV in Youth Work and am extremely passionate about advocating for youth rights and spreading awareness about youth specific issues including sexual health.
Callum Sinclair
Callum (he/him) is a registered Occupational Therapist who recently completed his honours studies at the University of Newcastle.He has experience working across public and private health divisions and in the university sector - where he provided mentoring and support to students registered with the university disability service. Callum is especially passionate about supporting children and adolescents, and he currently works in a private practice providing therapeutic supports to both children and their families. He has many keen interests, including: health promotion, mental health, LGBTQIA+ health, sexual health, inclusion and diversity.
Jesse Cotter
Before joining the YAB, Jesse (she/her) had a wealth of advocacy and advisory experience in health. Jesse’s lived experience has informed her advocacy practices/principles and she continues to advocate for the importance of maintaining all aspects of health, to ensure brighter futures for young people. Jesse is currently studying social work on Turrbal land, Meanjin and is passionate about young people’s general wellbeing, particularly the health of young women and those living with a disability.
Rania Omar
My name is Rania (she/her), I am a youth advocate who is passionate about health and wellbeing including physical, mental and sexual health. I have volunteered for different organisations such as headspace and flourish, during which I have learnt so much about how our local services and education can be improved. My hobbies include reading and playing catch with my cat. I am looking forward to working with the other amazing people towards the common goal of improving the understanding of and reducing the limitations that still exist within our society when discussing sexual health.
Dylan Sparrow
My name is Dylan (he/him) and I live in Townsville, North Queensland. I have a significant interest in health promotion and research, including sexual health, and obtained a Graduate Certificate of Public Health in 2021. Further to that, I work actively in the youth space as a Programs Officer for Canteen Australia where I work closely with young people and families impacted by cancer experiences. Outside of work, I enjoy performing music at local markets and cafes, and playing social volleyball.
Kurin Lelean
G'day! My name is Kurin Lelean (he/him), and I am a young person living and working in Victoria. I am passionate about empowering young people and bolstering diverse voices, which is a value I have stayed true to in my roles as a Youth Worker and Community Representative. I'm proud to promote my communities and create an equitable and equal society in all areas, including Sexual Health and beyond.
Ruby Hartley
Hi! My name is Ruby (she/her) and I’m so excited to be on the YAB for Shper! I am a student at UTS, studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Communications (Social and Political Sciences). I love swimming, reading, and trying new vegetarian food (except for olives, yuck). I’m really passionate about ending sexual violence, and I’m so pleased to hopefully be part of meaningful change towards that!
Operations & Terms of Reference
Board Operations
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Comprised of 10-15 diverse group of young people aged 18-24 years interested in sexual health, sex education, and sexual rights, with a mix of experience and no experience in the sector
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Attend a two-day training course
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Meet once every six months for 1-2 hours via zoom technology
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Receive updates on the project
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Be invited to join smaller working groups pertaining to a particular activity should they wish.
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Attend the Youth Sexual Health Promotion and Education Summit and Youth Forum at the end of the project
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2-year commitment with review
Benefits
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Paid opportunity, members are compensated an honorarium payment of $50 for one hour and $100 for two hours per meeting
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Complimentary two-day training course (inclusive of flights and accommodation paid for by ARCSHS) around April/May 2023 prior to the first board meeting, with certification to recognise completion of training
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Additional complimentary training provided by YacVic to support skill development in facilitating and co-chairing board meetings on an ad hoc basis
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Complimentary attendance to the Youth Sexual Health Promotion and Education Summit and Youth Forum, with flights and accommodation covered by ARCSHS
Responsibilities
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Attend the two-day training course, summit and forum, and six-monthly meetings
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Actively participate in discussions pertaining to current issues, wants, and needs of young people and sexual health, sex education, and sexual rights and the research project
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Advising the research team if you cannot make a meeting
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Option to join ad hoc working groups working on aspects of the project
Terms of Reference
We believe that many elements of the terms of reference should be developed and guided by input from the YAB members. At the two-day training course, we will spend time co-developing the following as part of the terms of reference:
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Conduct principles (i.e. how we might handle discussions, potential conflicts, and our understanding of integrity and respect)
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Confidentiality agreements
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Duty of care (i.e. debrief protocols for potentially difficult conversations)