Register todayJanuary 22-26, 2024

Frankie Mazzone is a 17-year-old transgender actor, activist, and media personality based in Melbourne, Australia. She has emerged as a prominent voice for trans youth, using her platform to advocate for rights, visibility, and inclusion within the LGBTQIA+ community. Frankie is also known for her role as Jasmine Stewart in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours 

Beyond acting, Frankie is deeply involved in advocacy. She has collaborated with organizations like Transcend Australia and participated in campaigns such as the Victorian Government’s "The Unsaid Says A Lot," which aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by trans and gender-diverse individuals . In 2025, she spoke at a Melbourne rally opposing the Queensland Government's decision to pause gender-affirming care for trans youth, emphasizing the importance of equal rights and access to healthcare .

Frankie also hosts Young At Art on Melbourne's Triple R 102.7FM, a program that showcases young artists and challenges stereotypes about the music of younger generations. 

Through her multifaceted work in media and activism, Frankie Mazzone continues to inspire and advocate for a more inclusive and understanding society

Hi! I’m Mac (he/him) — a queer, trans, disabled young person from a culturally diverse migrant background.

Drawing on his own experiences navigating multiple marginalised identities, Mac works across youth leadership, disability, and LGBTQIA+ spaces to create meaningful change. His work spans public speaking, workshop facilitation, writing, media engagement, consultation work and representation on a range of advisory and steering committees.

He was proud to be a 2021 ABC Takeover Melbourne winner, named in Out for Australia’s 30 Under 30 in 2022, and a finalist for the National Disability Leadership Awards 2024.

Through both grassroots and institutional work, he advocates for equity, accessibility, and representation by speaking up, and creating space for voices too often left out.

Nevo Zisin (they/them) is a white Ashkenazi Jewish settler living on stolen Wurundjeri land. They are a storyteller, esteemed educator on transgender topics, TEDx speaker, poet, workshop facilitator in schools and workplaces, and award-winning author of Finding Nevo (2017), a memoir on gender transition and The Pronoun Lowdown (2021), a useful guidebook on all things related to pronouns. They have been in-conversation with Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness, Transparent producer Zackary Drucker & world-famous spoken-word poet Alok Vaid-Menon. Their work explores queerness, collective healing and liberation and mutual aid as a mycelial network of connection. Their greatest accomplishments in life beyond anything, are their friendships.

Nadir Kinani (he/him) is a Melbourne-based photographer originally from London, with Welsh and Sudanese roots. He's worked in the news and editorial photography world for over a decade across the UK and Australia, with outlets like The Guardian, Daily Mail Online, and The Telegraph, ABC, SBS, Australian Associated Press (AAP), and many more.  Recently, he has been shooting a lot of politics, including Adam Bandt with Abbie Chatfield. 

Prior to jumping into photography full time, Nadir was a picture editor for over 10 years. Working with journalists, editors and a team of photographers.

He loves capturing real stories and helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera (even if it feels awkward at first — he gets it!). Whether it’s a portrait or a moment in time, Nadir is all about honesty, connection, and a bit of fun. Also, he has a big beard and wears a lot of purple!

Nevo Zisin (they/them) is a white Ashkenazi Jewish settler living on stolen Wurundjeri land. They are a storyteller, esteemed educator on transgender topics, TEDx speaker, poet, workshop facilitator in schools and workplaces, and award-winning author of Finding Nevo (2017), a memoir on gender transition and The Pronoun Lowdown (2021), a useful guidebook on all things related to pronouns. They have been in-conversation with Queer Eye’s Jonathan Van Ness, Transparent producer Zackary Drucker & world-famous spoken-word poet Alok Vaid-Menon. Their work explores queerness, collective healing and liberation and mutual aid as a mycelial network of connection. Their greatest accomplishments in life beyond anything, are their friendships.

Nadir Kinani (he/him) is a Melbourne-based photographer originally from London, with Welsh and Sudanese roots. He's worked in the news and editorial photography world for over a decade across the UK and Australia, with outlets like The Guardian, Daily Mail Online, and The Telegraph, ABC, SBS, Australian Associated Press (AAP), and many more.  Recently, he has been shooting a lot of politics, including Adam Bandt with Abbie Chatfield. 

Prior to jumping into photography full time, Nadir was a picture editor for over 10 years. Working with journalists, editors and a team of photographers.

He loves capturing real stories and helping people feel comfortable in front of the camera (even if it feels awkward at first — he gets it!). Whether it’s a portrait or a moment in time, Nadir is all about honesty, connection, and a bit of fun. Also, he has a big beard and wears a lot of purple!

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, performer, streamer and composer. 
Website: montaigne

Nelly Thomas is a multi-talented, award-winning Australian comedian, broadcaster and author. She is well-known for her media commentary, keynote speaking and MCing. Nelly is a regular guest on ABC Melbourne Radio, Radio National, News Breakfast and is a co-host on Broad Radio. She was listed as one of Australia’s “most innovative thinkers” in The Age and was featured on the ABC’s Big Ideas: The Smartest Stuff on TV, Radio and Online.  

Nelly is the author of five books including three children’s books - all of which were part of the Victorian Premier’s 2024 Reading Challenge List and, were recommended for Inclusive Early Years Education Resources by ABC Kids. One was also nominated for International Outstanding Books on Disability (2024). Nelly is well-known for her inclusive humour and her books encourage kids (and their grown-ups) to accept themselves as they are. Her motto is simple: All Kids are the Joy of the World. 

Nelly’s passions include social change and health promotion; especially in the harder-to-reach areas of sexual health, inclusion, diversity, mental health and violence prevention. She lives in Melbourne with her two daughters, a dense labradoodle and a grumpy poodle. 

• Kayleen White (she/her) is a transwoman and a veteran human rights and social justice activist who helped found Transgender Victoria in the late 90s. She has worked for trans and more generally LGBTQIASB+ rights and wellbeing since the early 90s, as well as working against racism, sexism, and authoritarianism since the 70s, and for other improvements to the world, with the best results coming from being part of a larger group or movement. A few years ago, she escaped from the corporate world of wastewater treatment to retirement. 

Rebekah Robertson (she/her) is an Australian actress, author, and prominent advocate for transgender young people and children. She is the founder of Transcend Australia, Australia’s first parent-led support group for families of trans children, inspired by her experience raising her daughter, Georgie Stone, one of the country's first visible transgender young people. Driven by the challenges they faced navigating the healthcare and legal systems, Rebekah became a leading voice for reform, contributing to significant changes in court requirements for gender-affirming care. Her memoir, About a Girl, shares their family’s story of love, advocacy, and resilience, and she continues to champion acceptance and rights for trans young people and their families across Australia.  Available for purchase at the conference.

Patrice Capogreco (she/her) is an Australian author, inclusion and cultural advisor, breast cancer survivor, and passionate advocate for transgender youth, based in Naarm (Melbourne).

Professionally, Patrice has made significant contributions to the Australian music and arts industry. She founded BPM Publicity, a talent management agency, and has been involved in various cultural initiatives.

Patrice is also a staunch advocate for improved accessibility to breast cancer screening services, particularly for incarcerated women. Her advocacy efforts highlight the importance of equitable healthcare access for all women.

In addition to these efforts, Patrice is a strong supporter and ally for the transgender community. She stands beside her daughter, Frankie Mazzone, a prominent trans youth activist, in raising awareness and advocating for the rights and well-being of trans youth. Together, they work to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for transgender individuals, ensuring their voices are heard and valued.

Son Vivienne is CEO of Transgender Victoria, the peak-advocacy organization led by, for, and with, trans and gender diverse people. Son has a background in media production and Academia, and they launched their fourth book this year, titled ‘Queering Safe Spaces: Being Brave beyond Binaries’. They come from white working class roots in far north Queensland and regional South Australia, and they are a staunch ally to bio and chosen family with Arrernte and Ngarrindjeri lineage. Son is neurodivergent, non-binary and a parent to grown and growing kids and believes that deep listening can overcome almost any difference. They do their best listening with their bees, in their garden.

You can find out more about them at www.incitestories.com.au and order their most recent book at Queering Safe Spaces Some of Son’s other special interests include gardening, bees, and building shelter.

Nelly Thomas is a multi-talented, award-winning Australian comedian, broadcaster and author. She is well-known for her media commentary, keynote speaking and MCing. Nelly is a regular guest on ABC Melbourne Radio, Radio National, News Breakfast and is a co-host on Broad Radio. She was listed as one of Australia’s “most innovative thinkers” in The Age and was featured on the ABC’s Big Ideas: The Smartest Stuff on TV, Radio and Online.  

Nelly is the author of five books including three children’s books - all of which were part of the Victorian Premier’s 2024 Reading Challenge List and, were recommended for Inclusive Early Years Education Resources by ABC Kids. One was also nominated for International Outstanding Books on Disability (2024). Nelly is well-known for her inclusive humour and her books encourage kids (and their grown-ups) to accept themselves as they are. Her motto is simple: All Kids are the Joy of the World. 

Nelly’s passions include social change and health promotion; especially in the harder-to-reach areas of sexual health, inclusion, diversity, mental health and violence prevention. She lives in Melbourne with her two daughters, a dense labradoodle and a grumpy poodle. 

Tara Laursen is an accomplished Australian leader with over 15 years of experience in community-based mental health and social services. Currently, she serves as the Chief Operations Officer at ermha365. In November 2024, Tara was appointed as the Board Chair of Transcend Australia. Tara is also on the Board of the Victorian Pride Centre, and a member of the Victorian Government LGBTIQA+ Taskforce Health and Wellbeing Working Group, further underscoring her commitment to LGBTQIA+ inclusion and wellbeing. In recognition of International Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31, 2024, she shared her personal experiences and insights on the importance of transgender and gender-diverse inclusion in a podcast episode of "Get Real: Talking Mental Health & Disability." Her dedication continues to drive initiatives aimed at creating supportive environments for transgender and gender-diverse individuals and their families. Tara is also a keen cyclist and loves long days in the saddle, such as her recent ride from her home in Melbourne to NSW. 

Vicki Ward MP has represented Eltham District since November 2014. She grew up in this community and is now raising her two children with her partner in Eltham.

Prior to entering politics, Vicki studied Arts at La Trobe University going on to run her own small business, teach at RMIT, work in disability, hospitality and had a stint as a swimming instructor. She studied Arts at La Trobe University and 

Vicki had the privilege of working as an Advisor to former Rudd/Gillard Minister, the Hon. Jenny Macklin MP. 

Vicki has served on the Environment and Natural Resources Joint Committee, delivering the important report into the Fiskville CFA training facility.  She has also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Employment and Industry, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transport and Transport Infrastructure and Parliamentary Secretary for Education.

In December 2024, Vicki was appointed as the Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Natural Disaster, and Minister for Equality. Prior to this, she served as the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence and Minister for Employment; roles she was appointed to in October 2023.

Working collaboratively, especially with the community, to deliver the best outcomes is something which Vicki is passionate about. She has seen firsthand how improving access to services and support will in turn deliver greater opportunities.

Having grown up with community at the centre of her childhood, she learnt early on the importance of being involved, volunteerism and simply, if you want to get something done, get in there and help.

Vicki believes in the important role Government’s play in supporting people in finding and creating opportunities for themselves, while also extending a helping hand to those who are struggling.

She is passionate about delivering programs and pathways that improve people's lives.

Joe Ball (he/him) was appointed as the new Victorian Commissioner for LGBTIQA+ Communities in September 2024 for a three-year term.  

Commissioner Ball (he/him) is a proud transgender man.  

The Commissioner advocates for the rights, safety and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ communities. He is a longstanding LGBTIQA+ advocate and former CEO of Switchboard Victoria, with a 25-year career in disability, housing and homelessness, and social services.  

During his tenure with Switchboard, Joe lead the establishment of the statewide LGBTIQA+ Family Violence and Mental Health helpline Rainbow Door.   

Throughout his expansive career, Joe has drawn upon the strength and guidance of LGBTIQA+ history and most importantly, the work of activists who have paved the way, the courageous voices with lived experience and the wisdom of LGBTIQA+ elders.  

Commissioner Ball is also a member of the Expert Advisory Group for the federal government’s 10-Year LGBTIQ+ Health and Wellbeing Plan and previously participated in several leading social service advisory committees and boards.  

This includes the Victorian Family Violence peak body Safe and Equal, the community advisory committee for 1800RESPECT, the Victorian LGBTIQA+ Taskforce, the Victorian Family Violence Reform Advisory Group, and the National Suicide Prevention Governance Committee. 

In 2020, Joe was honoured as an award recipient in the 50 Outstanding LGBTI+ Leaders in Australia.

Lou Kerley (she/her/they) is Program Coordinator for the Transgender Health Research Group at Murdoch Children’s Research Institute. Lou also coordinates the Australian Research Consortium for Trans Youth and Children (ARCTYC), which is conducting national research to support the health and wellbeing of trans young people. Lou draws on her experience as a researcher, clinician, and queer trans person, with the hope of contributing to systems and spaces that are genuinely equitable and meet the diverse needs of the community.

Jessica (she/they) is a Youth Advisor for the Australian Research Consortium for Trans Youth and Children (ARCTYC), working in policy at the Department of Education and trans health research at the University of Melbourne. Her practice of peer support, writing and co-creation is grounded in experiences of disability, queerness, neurodivergence, and gender nonconformity.

Kayden (He/Him) is a queer, neurodiverse and disabled Project Assistant and Peer Worker with MCRI and the RCH Gender Service. He is passionate about helping others and making a positive difference. When he’s not busy with work or study, you can find him jamming on his guitar, building Lego sets, binge-watching his favourite TV shows and movies, and participating in wheelchair sports.

Kade is a passionate advocate for LGBTIQA+ inclusion in sport and physical activity. As Community Development Officer at Proud 2 Play, he works with community clubs, state and national sporting organisations, and fitness spaces to create safer, more inclusive environments for LGBTIQA+ participants. Kade leads key programs such as Rainbow Ready Clubs, delivers education and training across the country, and plays an active role in shaping national conversations about sport as a human right. Drawing on his own lived experience and community connection, Kade brings a grounded, practical approach to creating change in sport and recreation.

Misha Sim (they/them) is a proud queer, trans, autistic community member, currently living and working on unceded Wurundjeri and Wadawurrung lands. Misha trained as a psychologist but has spent the last decade supporting peer and clinical teams across the intersections of mental health, family violence, AOD, gender and neurodivergence. Misha is passionate about the critical role of lived experience and remains deeply committed to improving safety and access for all marginalised folks. Misha currently leads the Orygen Trans and Gender Diverse Service.

Hi! I’m Mac (he/him) — a queer, trans, disabled young person from a culturally diverse migrant background.

Drawing on his own experiences navigating multiple marginalised identities, Mac works across youth leadership, disability, and LGBTQIA+ spaces to create meaningful change. His work spans public speaking, workshop facilitation, writing, media engagement, consultation work and representation on a range of advisory and steering committees.

He was proud to be a 2021 ABC Takeover Melbourne winner, named in Out for Australia’s 30 Under 30 in 2022, and a finalist for the National Disability Leadership Awards 2024.

Through both grassroots and institutional work, he advocates for equity, accessibility, and representation by speaking up, and creating space for voices too often left out.

Bastian (he/him) recently graduated from trans young person to trans parent but is still not convinced he fits the term ‘adult’. Bastian began his journey as the only queer kid on the block back in 2012 and spent several years as a youth representative for the local LGBTIQA+ group, Peninsula Pride, at headspace Frankston. 

He now works in medical administration at a community health centre and spends his free time doing Bluey puzzles with his perfect two-year-old kid Stevie. 

Frankie Mazzone is a 17-year-old transgender actor, activist, and media personality based in Melbourne, Australia. She has emerged as a prominent voice for trans youth, using her platform to advocate for rights, visibility, and inclusion within the LGBTQIA+ community. Frankie is also known for her role as Jasmine Stewart in the long-running Australian soap opera Neighbours 

Beyond acting, Frankie is deeply involved in advocacy. She has collaborated with organizations like Transcend Australia and participated in campaigns such as the Victorian Government’s "The Unsaid Says A Lot," which aims to raise awareness about the challenges faced by trans and gender-diverse individuals . In 2025, she spoke at a Melbourne rally opposing the Queensland Government's decision to pause gender-affirming care for trans youth, emphasizing the importance of equal rights and access to healthcare .

Frankie also hosts Young At Art on Melbourne's Triple R 102.7FM, a program that showcases young artists and challenges stereotypes about the music of younger generations. 

Through her multifaceted work in media and activism, Frankie Mazzone continues to inspire and advocate for a more inclusive and understanding society

Community Engagement Lead at Transcend Australia

Auggie is a 14 year old non binary secondary student, with lived experience of having to navigate the legal system to access trans health care.  Auggie is a passionate advocate for trans rights – writing to and meeting with state politicians, presenting as keynote speaker at Department of Families Fairness and Housing for their Wear it Purple Event and representing RCH Gender Service and Transcend at official visits to Government House.

They live with their Mum and younger sister who are big supporters.  They have a ragdoll cat named Indie, they enjoy making art, singing and listening to music.

Eloise Brook (She/her) is a writer, advocate, and academic with extensive experience in public health policy and political science. She is the CEO of AusPATH and a key advocate for trans health and mental health in Australia, working closely with her community, healthcare professionals and government bodies.

Tathra Street is a leadership futurist and facilitator with 30 years' experience supporting purpose-driven organisations to lead with care, inclusion, and shared power. She brings an intersectional lens to her work, grounded in lived experience and deep connection to LGBTQIA+ communities. Tathra served as Co-chair of the Victorian Pride Centre’s Community Reference Group for six years, supporting the integration of lived experience perspectives. She founded Lead Together, an online community for changemakers exploring how we lead and care for the future and each other.

Dr Cate Rayner (she/her) is the Director of the Department of Adolescent Medicine and the Royal Children's Hospital Gender Service. Cate has extensive experience working as a Paediatrician, with particular expertise in Eating Disorder care, gender affirming care and youth mental health.  She is passionate about improving access to high quality adolescent-friendly healthcare, and leading service improvement in collaboration with those with lived and living experience. She is also a Medical Educator, and uses teaching to advocate for her patients more broadly.  Cate enjoys getting to know each individual young person and their family and is grateful for the opportunity to learn from them and to assist them throughout their journey.

• Catherine (she/her) is a clinical psychologist with the RCH Gender Service. She has a passion for promoting accessible, safe and collaborative health care experiences for transgender and gender diverse young people. Catherine brings experience from a range of health care settings to her work at the gender service, including CAMHS, RCH Eating Disorders Service, and RCH Specialist Autism Team. Having worked at the Gender Service for 10 years, she is privileged to have seen how young people can thrive when given adequate support and encouragement.  

Starlady (she/her) is a queer trans woman/feminine person living on Dja Dja Wurrung country and is the Director at the Zoe Belle Gender Collective, a Victorian based trans and gender diverse advocacy organisation. She is a passionate about social justice, healthy relationships, sex & consent, and the prevention of gender-based violence. Starlady is the lead author and campaign director of www.transfemme.com.au, a campaign and website promoting healthier relationships between trans women and cis men.

Necho Brocchi is a proud Transwoman and accomplished practitioner passionate about social change, with an in-depth background in advocacy, policy, and program development. She specialises in working alongside Trans and Gender Diverse, LGBTQIAP+, and criminalised people. Necho has qualifications in Fine Art and Social Work and is now studying in the field of Law.

Currently, she is the Service Delivery Coordinator at Open Doors Youth Service, leading a growing team of 20 lived experienced professionals, developing the organisation’s advocacy front, and contributing to the ongoing expansion of the service. 

Necho sits on the national Incarcerated Trans and Gender Diverse Fund board, which provides financial assistance to people in custody. Previously, she has sat on the Queer and Trans Workers Against Violence board working to end domestic and inter-partner violence for the LGBTQIAP+ community.

Driven by her passion for advocacy she co-authored the Sisters Inside Births, Deaths and Marriages Registration Bill 2022 submission and presented expert evidence at the parliamentary inquiry. This significant Bill in Queensland allows members of the LGBTQIAP+ community to identify their correct gender marker on legal documentation.

Necho has presented at the Australian Professional Association for Trans Health conference and the 10th International Sisters Inside conference alongside leaders in the legal and social services sectors highlighting her passion for advocacy. 

Drawing on her experience as both a practitioner and academic, she has published work on the experiences of Trans and Gender Diverse people in custody.

Katherine (they/she) is a multiply disabled, neurodivergent, non-binary person with over 15 years experience working on disability and LGBTIQA+ advocacy, policy and community engagement.  Katherine is the CEO of Inclusive Rainbow Voices (IRV), a community-led advocacy organisation working towards equity & justice for LGBTIQA+ people with disability. Katherine has worked across government, not-for-profit and creative industry settings, leading projects and programs that promote accessibility, inclusion and justice for LGBTIQA+ people with disability. 

Katherine’s approach is rooted in disability justice principals and a systemic outlook that seeks to build cross-disability and cross-movement solidarity.