LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee

Amanda (she/her) has worked in the disability sector for 15 years and is currently one of three Directors at Liberty Disability Services.

Identifying as a Cis Lesbian who came out late, Amanda is compelled to make up for her lateness by being a strong voice for the most vulnerable and taking the helm from those who have marched for so long before her.

Amanda is Geelong born, Tongan/Australian who is passionate about working with people who identify under the LGBTIQASB+ banner both with and without a disability.

She is committed to the advocacy of foster care and permanent care families who are same gender or gender diverse parents. Amanda is hoping as a queer women of colour leader to be a role model for younger generations - leading by example so that those that come do not need to experience the discrimination she has experienced.

Supported by her wife, three children and extended family, Amanda has embraced the opportunity to guide Geelong to become a safe space for our Rainbow and Disability communities.

Amie O’Shea (she/her) is a queer Lecturer in the School of Health & Social Development at Deakin University. Amie is passionate about the connections between Deakin University and the LGBTQ community and the meaningful partnerships required for authentic co-design and capacity building.

Amie led the peer researcher team which produced More than ticking a box: LGBTQIA+ people with disability talking about their lives and the 3-year Rainbow Inclusion Project which created information resources with and for people with cognitive disability and their supporters.

Amie is also an Auslan interpreter, a co-convenor of Q-UEERS, a queer-led interdisciplinary research network at Deakin University and co-chair of the Institute for Health Transformation Diversity & Inclusion Committee. She has two primary school aged children and is a member of the Rainbow Families Victoria Working Group.

Erika (she/they) is a non-binary trans woman who moved to Geelong in late 2021 with her partner. The couple chose Geelong for its vibrant community, cultural diversity and great potential for growth and leadership in LGBTQIA+ inclusion.

Erika has extensive experience in telecommunications and project management, having worked for Internet Service Providers as a complex consultant.

After coming out as transgender during the 2017 marriage equality plebiscite, Erika has seen first-hand the discrimination in housing, employment and other aspects of public life for transgender people, especially neurodivergent trans people like herself.

Erika has recently completed the 2023 Victorian Government LGBTQIA+ Leadership Program, and has founded Geelong Trans and Gender Diverse Squad, a social group for trans and gender diverse Millennials in the G21 region.

Jen Walsh (they/them) has worked for Barwon Health for nine years. They recently completed a 12 month project around LGBTQIA+ Inclusive Practice in Palliative Care. During this project they co-designed an Australian-first resource for queer people accessing palliative care with a team of local consumer advisors with lived experience.

Jen is building off the success of this project by now delivering LGBTQIA+ training more broadly across Barwon Health.

Jen is a proud graduate of the LGBTQIA+ Leadership Course through the Department of Premier and Cabinet and has also received an OAM for their work in community palliative care.

Jen proudly identifies as queer and is looking forward to advocating for the local LGBTQIA+ community in this advisory role. They grew up in the United States but is now an Australian citizen and calls the City of Greater Geelong ‘home'.

Will (he/him) champions LGBTQIA+ rights.  Originally from the UK, he has resided in Australia for the last 15 years, primarily in Geelong while also exploring NSW and TAS.  As a member of the council's advisory committee, he passionately advocates for social justice and the continual improvement of LGBTQIA+ voices and facilities in his community.

Nicholas (he/him) is a senior People & Culture professional with WorkSafe Victoria. He has a comprehensive background in human resources, change management and project management, in both the public sector and not-for-profit environments.

Nic is passionate about creating a safe and welcoming place for all people in the Geelong region.

Nic co-led WorkSafe’s Pride Network (WorkPride) during its establishment phase and WorkSafe’s relocation to Geelong. In doing so he championed WorkSafe’s progressive approach to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across the Victorian Public Sector.

Additionally, Nic developed partnerships with local community groups, social enterprises, and other employers in the Geelong region, as well as the City of Greater Geelong to lead initiatives and events focused on improving the health and wellbeing of the queer Geelong community.

Stephen has worked for over 20 years in a number of public sector roles both in Australia and also in the UK. He is currently a regional economic development adviser in the Victorian Government’s industry department.

Stephen is also the Festival Director of the Geelong Pride Film Festival which he founded with a group of other community volunteers in 2017. Through this role he has worked with many organisations within the Geelong region that are working to improve LGBTQIA+ diversity and inclusion.

His passions include cinema, education and community development.

He has a Doctorate of Business, an MBA and Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University, and a Bachelor of Public Policy and Management from the University of Melbourne.

Lachy (he/him) has worked in the Education sector for 18 years and is currently working at The Geelong College teaching Drama and Media.

He is passionate about creating safe, welcoming, and inclusive spaces for our local queer community, especially for our young people. Lachy is a proud graduate of the 2022 Victorian Government LGBTIQA+ Leadership Program cohort, and the founder of The Geelong College Rainbow Alliance student stand out group, a safe space for LGBTQIA+ students and allies, a beacon of support, and a platform for empowerment within the school community.

Supported by his husband and son Ernie, born via surrogacy, Lachy is excited to further advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community within his hometown of Geelong.