EASY ENGLISH: Connecting across Continents - Insights from Australian Fellows

 

Connecting Across Continents

Insights from Australian Fellows

I was honoured to attend the 60th Anniversary Convention for Fellows of the Winston Churchill Trust in Melbourne.

The Australian Trust, and one in New Zealand, were started at the same time as the Churchill Fellowship in the UK.

The convention was a celebration of new ideas. It showed me the amazing work happening across Australia and beyond.

Talks and Ideas

The conference started with a talk by Dr Susan Carland (VIC 2019) about Winston Churchill’s life and legacy.

The final speech was by Jeremy Soames, Churchill’s grandson.

The weekend included difficult topics, such as:

  • AI (artificial intelligence) in schools

  • Clown doctors in aged care

  • Women working in trades

  • Preventing homicide

Even though none of the sessions were exactly about my research – improving sex education for adults with intellectual disabilities – I left full of ideas and inspiration.

AI and Sex Education

Chris Bush (VIC 2024), a teacher and AI expert, talked about AI in education. He said educators must “steer the tide responsibly.”

This reminded me of a conversation with Courtney King, a sexuality educator at Rubix Support.
She said AI and VR could create safe spaces for people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) to practice communication and intimacy.
It could help with social anxiety.

Chris showed his AI tutor “Mitch”. I imagined a sex-education version called “Talkie”.
It could help PWID practice:

  • Using consent language

  • Understanding pornography safely

  • Talking about relationships

I also thought of Ben, a man with Down syndrome I met at the Spark conference in Adelaide.
Using an app to practice social skills improved his confidence and communication.

At a co-design session with Thorne Harbour Health, Inclusion Melbourne, and Rainbow Rights, we discussed using similar tools for online dating.

Matthew Parsons from the Accessible Pride Project said PWID have the same right to connection as anyone else.
Instead of teaching fear, we should help people use dating apps safely and confidently.

Dignity of Risk

Bernie Shakeshaft (VIC 2014), founder of BackTrack, talked about giving young people hope and choice.

He said it’s not enough to just keep them safe.
We also need to help them chase their dreams.

Bernie uses a peer-education model.
Young people help other young people solve problems in their community.

I saw this approach in Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Abuse, in the EmpowerEd program.
Peer educators with lived experience support others at their own pace.

Ellie, a peer educator, said:

“It’s the first job where I feel valued because of my disability, not in spite of it.”

Leadership and Listening

A session on ‘yarning’, an Indigenous way of having conversations, was led by Gina Milgate (VIC 2023) and Lauren French (VIC 2023).

Gina said leadership is not only Western. Aboriginal people lead through listening and caring for the community.

Lauren’s research on sexual and gender-based violence in schools reminded me of a conversation with Sarah, an occupational therapist at Thrive Rehab.
She said:

“Consent work can be destabilising because it shows people they could have had choice all along.”

Gina’s work shows collaboration is at the heart of leadership, which is similar to how the disability sector uses co-design.

Fun and Creativity

David Symons (VIC 2012), Artistic Director of The Humour Foundation, reminded us through Send in the Clowns that serious care and fun go together.

Connecting Across Continents

Insights from Australian Fellows

I was honoured to attend the 60th Anniversary Convention for Fellows of the Winston Churchill Trust in Melbourne.

The Australian Trust, and one in New Zealand, were started at the same time as the Churchill Fellowship in the UK.

The convention was a celebration of new ideas. It showed me the amazing work happening across Australia and beyond.

Talks and Ideas

The conference started with a talk by Dr Susan Carland (VIC 2019) about Winston Churchill’s life and legacy.

The final speech was by Jeremy Soames, Churchill’s grandson.

The weekend included difficult topics, such as:

  • AI (artificial intelligence) in schools

  • Clown doctors in aged care

  • Women working in trades

  • Preventing homicide

Even though none of the sessions were exactly about my research – improving sex education for adults with intellectual disabilities – I left full of ideas and inspiration.

AI and Sex Education

Chris Bush (VIC 2024), a teacher and AI expert, talked about AI in education. He said educators must “steer the tide responsibly.”

This reminded me of a conversation with Courtney King, a sexuality educator at Rubix Support.
She said AI and VR could create safe spaces for people with intellectual disabilities (PWID) to practice communication and intimacy.
It could help with social anxiety.

Chris showed his AI tutor “Mitch”. I imagined a sex-education version called “Talkie”.
It could help PWID practice:

  • Using consent language

  • Understanding pornography safely

  • Talking about relationships

I also thought of Ben, a man with Down syndrome I met at the Spark conference in Adelaide.
Using an app to practice social skills improved his confidence and communication.

At a co-design session with Thorne Harbour Health, Inclusion Melbourne, and Rainbow Rights, we discussed using similar tools for online dating.

Matthew Parsons from the Accessible Pride Project said PWID have the same right to connection as anyone else.
Instead of teaching fear, we should help people use dating apps safely and confidently.

Dignity of Risk

Bernie Shakeshaft (VIC 2014), founder of BackTrack, talked about giving young people hope and choice.

He said it’s not enough to just keep them safe.
We also need to help them chase their dreams.

Bernie uses a peer-education model.
Young people help other young people solve problems in their community.

I saw this approach in Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Abuse, in the EmpowerEd program.
Peer educators with lived experience support others at their own pace.

Ellie, a peer educator, said:

“It’s the first job where I feel valued because of my disability, not in spite of it.”

Leadership and Listening

A session on ‘yarning’, an Indigenous way of having conversations, was led by Gina Milgate (VIC 2023) and Lauren French (VIC 2023).

Gina said leadership is not only Western. Aboriginal people lead through listening and caring for the community.

Lauren’s research on sexual and gender-based violence in schools reminded me of a conversation with Sarah, an occupational therapist at Thrive Rehab.
She said:

“Consent work can be destabilising because it shows people they could have had choice all along.”

Gina’s work shows collaboration is at the heart of leadership, which is similar to how the disability sector uses co-design.

Fun and Creativity

David Symons (VIC 2012), Artistic Director of The Humour Foundation, reminded us through Send in the Clowns that serious care and fun go together.

Creativity and laughter can restore dignity and autonomy.

In sex education, arts-based approaches like:

  • Photodiaries

  • Body-mapping

…can help people express themselves in holistic, person-centred ways.

Leaving Melbourne

As I left Melbourne for Gippsland, I felt grateful and inspired.

The conference showed me the power of cross-disciplinary dialogue — learning from people in different fields.

It reminded me that it takes courage to be brave in thought and careful in insight.Creativity and laughter can restore dignity and autonomy.

In sex education, arts-based approaches like:

  • Photodiaries

  • Body-mapping

…can help people express themselves in holistic, person-centred ways.

Leaving Melbourne

As I left Melbourne for Gippsland, I felt grateful and inspired.

The conference showed me the power of cross-disciplinary dialogue — learning from people in different fields.

It reminded me that it takes courage to be brave in thought and careful in insight.

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