australian ally conference report

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CONFERENCE REPORT

AUSTRALIAN ALLYCONFERENCEWestern Sydney University • 27-28 June 2016

AUSTRALIAN ALLY CONFERENCEWestern Sydney University • Parramatta Campus • 27-28 June 2016

CONTENTS

Australian Ally Conference 3

Conference Objectives 3

Conference Details 3

Conference Outcomes 3

Conference Organisation 8

Future 9

Thanks 9

3

AUSTRALIAN ALLY CONFERENCEWestern Sydney University was proud to initiate, organise and host the inaugural Australian Ally Conference. The Conference brought together staff and students from 30 universities across Australia and New Zealand to discuss issues and plan for the future.

CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES• To examine issues of importance to LGBTIQ university staff and students

• To explore the role of Ally networks in higher education

• To highlight best practice in higher education, government and corporations

• To foster relationships and build networks and dialogue across the sector

• To seek advancement of LGBTIQ issues in higher education through incorporation of best practice in university Ally networks

CONFERENCE DETAILSThe Conference was held at the Female Orphan School, Western Sydney University, Parramatta Campus on the 27th and 28th June 2016. The Conference was composed of 1 keynote, 5 plenary sessions and a half day training provided by Pride in Diversity.

For more information please see the Conference Booklet for the Conference Program, list of participants and organisations, sponsors and partners - www.westernsydney.edu.au/australian_ally_conference.

CONFERENCE OUTCOMES

ProgramThe Conference program presented a mix of scholarly and practical plenaries covering a broad range of LGBTIQ issues, organised in the following sessions:

• Best Practice – Higher Education: Structures, Policies and Culture

• Changing University Culture

• Best Practice – Outside Academia

• Implementing Best Practice in Higher Education

• Rights and Challenges

• Future Directions


SpeakersThe Conference attracted 38 high quality speakers with diverse backgrounds and expertise.

The program included a great variety of presentations.

A number of academics presented on the latest research including the role of gender and sexuality in bullying and harassment and ending homophobia. Equity professionals reported on programs and projects that had proved successful in their universities and the issues that still need to be addressed including a report on giving queer students a voice, and the program included students giving credence to this.

Politicians past and present from both sides of the isle joined in the call for understanding, access and respect and corporate Australia demonstrated the advantages to LGBTIQ inclusion.

Professor Denise Kirkpatrick Deputy Vice-Chancellor & Vice-President (Academic), Western Sydney University

Jenny Aitchison MP Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault; Shadow Minister for Small Business

The Hon. Trevor Khan MLC Deputy President and Chair of Committees, NSW Parliament

Professor Kent Anderson Deputy Vice Chancellor, Community and Engagement, The University of Western Australia

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Ronny Susanto Southern Cross University

Melissa Tandy ANZ Bank

Ian Bennett Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Dr Shannon Spriggs Murdoch Director MATE Violence Prevention Program, Griffith University

Professor Baden Offord Director of the Centre for Human Rights Education, Curtin University

Lucy Riggal Commonwealth Bank

Luce De Buitleir Andrews Director, The Academy, Western Sydney University

A/Prof Cara MacNish Chair, Academic Board and Council, The University of Western Australia


ParticipantsThe large number and diversity of participants, as well as the quality of the presentations and discussion at the Conference can be used as a measure of success for the project.

There were over 110 participants, from Universities, corporate leaders and government.

Participating Organisations

Universities• Australian National University• Bond University• Curtin University• Deakin University• Edith Cowan University• Flinders University• Griffith University• James Cook University• La Trobe University• Macquarie University• Monash University• Murdoch University• Queensland University of Technology• RMIT University• Southern Cross University• Swinburne University• The University of Adelaide• The University of Newcastle• The University of Sydney• The University of Western Australia• Unitec Institute of Technology• University of Canberra• University of Southern Queensland• University of Tasmania• University of Technology Sydney• University of the Sunshine Coast• University of Wollongong• UNSW Australia• Victoria University• Western Sydney University

Organisations

• ANZ Pride Network• Arab Bank of Australia• National Tertiary Education Union• PricewaterhouseCoopers• Pride in Diversity• Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts

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A/Prof Nicole Asquith Associate Professor of Policing & Criminal Justice, Western Sydney University

Marcus Rivera Singer

Dr Sev Ozdowski AM Conference Convenor, Director, Equity and Diversity, Western Sydney University

Chris Puplick AM Health Inspector of NSW Prisons

Conference DinnerThe Conference Dinner held at Western Sydney University’s Boilerhouse Restaurant was MC’d by Sev Ozdowski. A/Prof Nicole Asquith welcomed the guests and the evening was greatly enriched by an address from Chris Puplick AM and entertainment by singer Marcus Rivera.


Opportunity to NetworkThe Ally Conference provided an opportunity for participants and presenters to network and discuss issues pertaining to the LGBTIQ community, to share knowledge and skills and best practice ideas in the area of LGBTIQ access and inclusion.

PublicationsThe Ally Conference papers will be published on the Equity and Diversity website. See www.westernsydney.edu.au/australian_ally_conference

A link to the Conference photos is available on the same site.

CONFERENCE ORGANISATIONThe Conference ran extremely well facilitating the enjoyment and participation of 113 delegates with a diverse range of needs. The facilities provided for the Conference was well used and access to a Multifaith Room, Quiet Space and free WiFi for participants was provided.

The organisation of the Conference was initiated by Western Sydney University and implemented by various people and teams, as outlined below.

Conference Convenor Dr Sev Ozdowski AM FAICD, Director, Equity and Diversity, Western Sydney University

Conference Partner University of Newcastle

Conference Advisory Committee• Mr Craig Hinley, Western Sydney University • Luce De Buitleir Andrews, Western Sydney University• Lauren Miles, The University of Newcastle• Clare Swan, The University of Newcastle • Beate Wildner, Western Sydney University • Belinda Munn, The University of Newcastle

Conference ManagementJulie Jerbic, General Manager & Events Director, Conference Online, www.conferenceonline.com.au

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Support TeamSpecial thanks goes to Western Sydney University staff, who assisted with the smooth running of the Conference. Particular thanks to Beate Wildner, Brenda Burnard, Craig Hinley, Kathy Adam-Cross and Melinda Blackmore.

FUTURE The 2016 Australian Ally Conference was the first of its type and it was always the intention of the organising committee to make this an annual or bi-annual event. We are pleased to announce that Curtin University has agreed to stage the next Australian Ally Conference in 2017, in cooperation of the University of Western Australia.

THANKSThe Conference team is grateful to all the people and organisations that made the Conference possible and such a success. In particular, we would like to thank Prof. Barney Glover, Vice-Chancellor and President, Western Sydney University, the Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG and Dawn Hough, Director, Pride in Diversity for their guidance and support. Warm thanks also go to Conference Sponsors and Partners:

• The University of Newcastle• Deakin University • La Trobe University• Arab Bank Australia • Rainbow Fertility • University of Canberra• Pride in Diversity

We would also like to thank all the speakers, chairs and delegates for making this a very successful conference.

Dr Sev Ozdowski AM Conference Convenor, and Director, Equity and Diversity, Western Sydney University

7 July 2016

Julie Jerbic, Beate Wildner and Dr Sev Ozdowski

The support of the following organisations is gratefully acknowledged

PARTNERSThis conference is organised by Western Sydney University in partnership with The University of Newcastle

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSOR

TRAINING PROVIDER

PARTNERS & SPONSORS

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