I invite you to join me, as the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, for a cuppa and conversation about being LGBTIQA+, but most importantly, the kind of communities we all want to build, where everyone can thrive. Together, we’ll explore how we strengthen community safety, support equitable health and wellbeing for people of all genders, and better support families and young people.

As I travel around Victoria, I’m being joined by local leaders and others working to strengthen communities. For this event, I’m pleased to be joined by:
- Sally Hasler, CEO of Women’s Health Victoria
- Ben Vasiliou, CEO of Man Cave
- and local legend Lyn Eales.

We will also share information about support services, acknowledging that times are tough for many people and families.

These community conversations are open to everyone, whether you’re LGBTIQA+ or not. Strong communities are built by all of us. I want to allow space for different people, with different opinions and values, to come together with kindness and ask genuine questions about the key issues that matter to them. Where people won’t be shut down for sharing their concerns.

Some catering will be provided. The event is recommended for people 18yo+.

My hope as Commissioner is that everyone leaves with a deeper understanding of each other and a renewed commitment to building a stronger future together.

Accessibility

- The venue is wheelchair accessible

- There will be a short break during the meeting.

Please contact us if you have require additional supports, such as an Auslan interpreter or closed captions.

Bios

Joe is the Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities, appointed in 2024. He is one of Australia’s most senior openly transgender public servants and a national voice on equality, mental health, and community safety. Joe has spent more than a decade working across social services, including family violence, housing and homelessness, disability, and suicide prevention. 

As Commissioner, Joe advises government on policies that affect LGBTIQA+ communities and works across sectors to advance safety, dignity, and inclusion. His work focuses on strengthening system level and community led responses to hate, discrimination and violence, and ensuring that systems—from healthcare to justice—are inclusive and effective for diverse communities.

Joe is known for his ability to bring people together across difference in complex and contested conversations. 

He lives in Melbourne with his partner and their daughter.

Lyn is an advocate, an activist and a leader living on Gunditjmara Country in Warrnambool. She has a demonstrated history of working in community development across many areas including: LGBTIQA+, youth, choirs, festivals and events, leadership, presentations and training and of course all the fun things.

Lyn has a strong sense of social justice and has worked extensively with marginalized communities creating pathways for everyone to thrive.

Sally commenced as CEO of Women’s Health Victoria in 2024. She is an experienced leader, board member and volunteer in women’s health, gender equality and social policy having worked across government and not-for-profit organisations. Most recently, Sally was a Director in the Office for Women in the Victorian Government.

She has also held leadership roles at The Fred Hollows Foundation, The Women’s Foundation Hong Kong and St John Ambulance Australia. She is also a non-executive director of Lifeline Direct. Sally brings a strong commitment to supporting improved health outcomes for women and gender equity in health for everyone in our community. She lives on Wurundjeri Country with her husband and three girls.

Ben is a social entrepreneur and the CEO of The Man Cave, Australia’s leading preventative mental health charity for teenage boys and their communities. He is a recently published author (Better Man: Reclaiming Masculinity for good), a champion of social justice, is passionate about helping young boys become great men, and has an insatiable appetite to change the world.

Ben is the Chair-elect of Amplify Alliance Australia, a leading peak body for Non-Profits across Australia and is a Justice of the Peace.

Ben started his career as a Youth Worker grounded in lived experience and went on to graduate from the Executive Education in Social Entrepreneurship Program at Stanford University. Most importantly, he is a devoted father of two.

Contact the host of 'Our United Future': Warrnambool Community Town Hall with the Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities

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