The old adage, 'bad things happen when good people do nothing,' was never more relevant than it is today, and this year's World Aids Day theme, 'HIV/AIDS – prevention is everybody’s business' is a timely reminder that this is an issue that must not be ignored, as 'someone else's problem.'

Yes, to be successful, sometimes one does only have to 'turn up,' but to be successful as a speaker, demands much more. Standing before an audience, and facing its scrutiny with honesty, demands a personal investment that tests even the most self-assured individual.

Truly important messages that directly affect the lives of others, require a great deal of soul-searching in the speaker.

Having faith and being 'positive' enough to open their hearts, has enabled our speakers to spread messages of preventive health, understanding and tolerance to a diverse range of audiences.

The level of personal faith required to communicate effectively, demands a great deal, but also returns a great deal to the speaker. And our youngest Bureau member, has taken an important step in her chosen path this year.

Neither you nor I were at Tullamarine when feisty 15 year old, Stephanie, boarded a plane bound for Nairobi, Kenya. Within a few days, she would be walking out onto the world stage as part of the YWCA Council's International Women's Summit. It is the size of task that I have seen reduce an otherwise confident CEO to a bundle of nerves. We can only imagine the responsibility she felt.

Speaker training

All speakers attend formal training workshops and are provided with comprehensive skills development.

There has been significant skills training from 2004 with 25 speakers receiving extensive media coaching and effective communication training. 18 speakers are qualified Certificate IV Assessment and Workplace trainers.

Our speakers work with the latest facts about HIV/AIDS locally and internationally.

Our talks are informed by the training frameworks of the Department of Education and Training, the State and National HIV/AIDS and STI Strategies and research from Latrobe University’s Australian Research Centre in Sex Health and Society.

Our speaker’s primary aim is to speak about their personal experiences of living with the virus. However homophobia, sexuality, social justice and equity of access to healthcare can be discussion points. They are skilled at multi media presentations including data projector power point presentations.

Where do our speakers talk?

In 2005 - 2006 we delivered nearly 250 talks to an audience of over 7200 people.

65% of talks are to years 9 -12 Secondary school students. Other talks are to Universities, Hospitals, NGO’s and Community and Corporate organisations.

Speaking engagement fees structure

The majority of speaking engagements are for a one hour duration including a question and answer session. Many presentations are with two speaker’s dependant upon the size of the groups. Dual presentations provide significant benefits by delivering different stories and experiences.

Speaker’s fee: $88.00 per hour per speaker including GST

Booking fee: $16.50 including GST

A Tax invoice is issued prior to the talk and speakers can not accept payment on the day of the talk.

Travel allowance fee schedule:

$20.00 for metro area, $30 outer metro area and 50 cents per kilometre in rural areas (subject to negotiation)

A speaker’s one hour talk including $20 metro area travel allowance including GST costs $124.50

Booking a speaker

To discuss your speaker requirements or any other details contact the Speakers Bureau Coordinator on 03 9865 6771. Please download/print a Speaker Request / Booking form (below and on top of this page) and forward to the Speakers Bureau Co-ordinator by:

Email: speakersbureau@plwhavictoria.org.au, Facsimile: 03 9804 7978 or Mail: Speakers Bureau Coordinator, PLWHA Victoria Inc. 6 Claremont Street, South Yarra, Victoria 3141

Two weeks notice is preferred to allow the speaker adequate time to prepare. Shorter notice can be accommodated if required. After a Speaker Request form is received the Speakers Bureau Coordinator may contact you to clarify any points. A Speaker Confirmation letter, a Tax Invoice and a Client Feedback form will be forward to you. The speaker will be in contact prior to the talk to introduce themselves and discuss any other requirements.

(Click here) Speaker Request / Booking Form (PDF to download, fill in, print, and send via mail or fax)

(Click here) Speaker Request / Booking Form (Word Document to download, fill in, and email back)

Sponsorship of talks

If the fee structure is an impediment to booking a speaker please contact the Speakers Bureau Coordinator to discuss sponsorship of the talk. Our priority is to always provide a speaker and sponsorship support facilitates this.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ) fact sheets

The Speakers Bureau provides FAQ sheets for all speakers and to schools and organisations upon request. FAQ sheets provide basic HIV/AIDS transmission information, facts and figures from Victoria, Australia and the world and many website links for research and school projects.

(Click here) Frequently Asked Questions

Feedback from schools and organisations where our speakers have spoken in 2006:

“Michelle was fantastic. She spoke with genuine honesty, and explained a difficult topic to an apprehensive audience with ease. She encouraged them to ask any question they wanted, and the matter of fact way in which she answered them quickly broke down any barriers the students may have felt. Michelle's 'real' story and the way in which she told it had a significantly greater impact than anything I could have taught them, or that they could have read themselves. She was factual, and most importantly, challenged some of their preconceived notions of HIV."

Lisa Holt, VCAL Coordinator, Lyndale Secondary College.

“I am very honoured to be able to provide a quote for the Speakers Bureau website.  Brauer College has had a long and much respected connection with the Bureau, and we really appreciate the effort made by the Bureau, to be a part of the College's Health Program.

Brauer College would sincerely like to thank the Speaker's Bureau for once again providing such outstanding speakers to talk about the topic of HIV/AIDS.  The speakers presented a very interesting, informative and engaging session to our year 10 students and teachers.  The fact that the speakers were so honest and open about sharing their stories was really appreciated by the College audience.  We were all able to share many laughs which was great!  We look forward to inviting the Speakers Bureau in 2007.”

Tricia Blakeslee, Brauer College Health and P.E Coordinator, Warrnambool.

"Wow - What can I say.  Positively overwhelming.  Student evaluations were excellent.

Glenn and Sandra were fantastic - students came away with a greater understanding of the causes and effects of AIDS.

Out of 10 - " 20 ".

Our College will always support the wonderful service the Speakers Bureau provides for our students.”

Bernadette Tucker, Secondary School Nurse, Debney Park Secondary College, Flemington. 

“Kirk was a fantastic speaker to both groups of our students. Kirk related to the students extremely well and spoke at their level. He spoke incredibly honestly and this was appreciated by all”

Catherine McCorkell, Wesley College, Melbourne.

"Having a guest speaker has added a personal element to our training program. The students gain great insight into the speakers life and meeting and chatting with them puts a lot of issues into true perspective. Feedback from the students consistently indicates that this session has a positive impact for them and broadens their understanding of HIV/AIDS."

Ann Woodward, Coordinator - Division 1 Nurse Re-Entry Program, St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy.

“The Adolescent Forensic Health Service values the contribution that the PLWHA Victoria Speaker's Bureau makes towards the health education of young people involved with juvenile justice in Victoria. 

This collaborative partnership has seen many of the young people in custody exposed to real life stories of people living with HIV/AIDS via Health Promotion and Education at the Adolescent Forensic Health Service. 

The quality and sensitivity of the HIV speaker facilitates mutual respect, allowing an interactive discussion about HIV/AIDS and associated issues to happen with the young people.”

David Tonkin, Health Promotion and Education, Juvenile Justice.

“The Speaker Bureau (SB) has been a wonderful addition to Peer Education workshops at the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men's Health Centre. They provide the lived experience of gay men who are living with HIV or AIDS to men of difference age groups, culturally diverse backgrounds, various stages of coming out and social economic backgrounds as well as difference HIV statuses.

The SB makes HIV education come alive by using their personal stories and putting HIV in lived contexts that participants can relate to. Furthermore, the SB reduces the gap between positive and negative men by creating and engaging participants in dialogue where frank discussions take place in a safe environment.”

Asvin Phorugngam, Health Educator Health Promotion Team, Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men's Health Centre.

“I wanted to pass on some feedback about the addition of the Positive Speaker's Bureau to the course.  The Speaker's Bureau has provided an added dimension to the course that has evoked a lot of discussion, reflection…in challenging and enlightening participants.  Every participant has provided positive feedback and it has been very rewarding as a facilitator to watch participants become aware of the human side of the disease.  Many have commented that they had previously never had any contact with anyone with HIV (at least that they were aware of). 

It has provided a safe forum for real discussion and sharing of ideas and provides us as volunteer worker's the opportunity to challenge certain assumptions and request participants review their thinking on certain issues. I hope that this pivotal and engaging part of the course continues and I believe it is now one of the most effective means of VAC being able to educate and to promote the complexity of issues involved in contracting and living with HIV.”

Peer Education workshop facilitator, Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men's Health Centre.

“Stefanie was fantastic as the Bureau’s speakers always are. The nurses were in awe and feedback from them was that they realised HIV can happen to anyone. Stefanie gave more insight of what it is like on the other side and more understanding for when the nurses look after our clients. The Bureau’s speakers open our nurse’s eyes to the realities of living with HIV/AIDS.”

Judy F, Clinical Nurse Consultant – HIV/AIDS, Royal District Nursing Service.

Training award

The PLWHA Victoria Speakers Bureau was co winner with ParaQuad Victoria for “Innovative Service Delivery – Private Provider” at the 2005 Community Services & Health Industry Training Awards.

This award category recognised the long term inter-agency collaboration between PLWHA Victoria and ParaQuad Victoria and embodies the concept of empowerment for people with both visible and invisible disabilities. In the Student category of “Lifelong Leaner,” Jeffery Robertson (a member of the Speakers Bureau) was also the winner.

Funding

The Speakers Bureau Coordinators position is funded by the BBV/STI Program of the Department of Human Services and was funded in 2004 when the Department implemented the 2003 Review Panels recommendations.

There is no additional project funding provided and the Speakers Bureau is reliant upon the fees charged to provide training and pay the speakers.

Speakers Bureau Sponsorship

Significant unrestricted sponsorship of the Bureau has been provided to fund speakers’ talks when a school or organisation cannot afford the speakers fees and for specialised training and education of speakers.

We acknowledge the contribution made by two companies. Without sponsorship we would not have had the resources to educate our speakers and their audiences.

Sponsorship of community development, Speaker’s training and speaking engagements.

Sponsorship of community development and speaking engagements.

(Click here) Speaker’s evaluation Form (PDF to download, fill in, print, and send via mail or fax)

(Click here) Speaker’s evaluation Form (Word Document to download, fill in, and email back)

Evaluation data is collated from all talks and includes client and speaker evaluations.

Speakers Bureau annual awards

PLWHA Victoria acknowledges the contribution made by individuals and organisations at the Annual General Meeting.

The Speakers Bureau award is presented to an organisation, sponsor or individual that has made an outstanding contribution to the further development of the Speakers Bureau.

The recipient will have strengthened the capacity of the Bureau to deliver its vitally important work of reducing HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination in the wider community and raising awareness of the issues of living with HIV/AIDS.

Award recipients:

2004. Marie Frodsham

Marie Frodsham, (HIV/AIDS Coordinator at the Tasmanian Council on AIDS, Hepatitis and Related Diseases - TasCAHRD) for her role in developing Tasmania’s World AIDS Awareness week and the involvement of PLWHA Victoria’s Speakers Bureau in the provision of 2 speakers in 2003 to speak publicly about the issues of living with HIV/AIDS.

Marie’s commitment to the importance of HIV Positive people speaking publicly and her support of HIV Positive people in Tasmania created a role model for many who work in the HIV/AIDS sector.

The benefits to the Speakers Bureau were the development of inter state links and enhancement of the speakers’ capacity to inform the wider community about the issues of living with HIV/AIDS.

2005. Merck Sharp & Dohme 

Merck is also commended for assisting TasCAHRD and PLWHA Victoria with sponsorship that allowed participation of our speakers in the launch of Tasmania’s World AIDS Awareness Week (WAAW) 2003. The project was an outstanding success with overwhelming media and political interest.

2006. Megan Warner

Megan Warner joined the Speakers Bureau in 2004 and quickly engaged in training opportunities especially the media training workshops delivered in April and October 2005 for personal and professional development.

Meg identified immediately with the aims of the Speakers Bureau in educating the wider community.

Meg didn’t really fit any of the usual stereotypes of HIV+ people. She worked in the University sector as a Resident Tutor in Theology. Her previous work background was as a lecturer in Law and a practising solicitor.

She joined the Speaker’s Bureau because she wanted to do what she could to help destroy the stigma around HIV and HIV+ people. She was inspired by the preparedness of some political and religious leaders in South Africa to speak out, at considerable personal cost, about the ways in which HIV has touched them and their families. By speaking publicly about her status she wanted to encourage other HIV Positive people to do the same.

On World AIDS day, December 1, 2005, Meg was one of two speakers who spoke at the Victorian Parliament in conjunction with the Jacinta Allan (Minister for Youth Affairs) who launched World AIDS day. Meg decided to go public about her status and her ability to communicate clearly and calmly was of great inspiration to all who were present.

This award congratulates Meg for her tenacity and willingness to openly talk about what it is like to live with HIV in today’s environment. She has significantly contributed to a greater understanding about HIV in her work with the Bureau.

In her new full time position interstate, we wish her every success in her career and look forward to working with her in whatever way we can.

Stephanie attended the 2005 NAPWA Conference and spoke about her life as a teenager who was born HIV Positive. Stephanie spoke passionately about Camp Goodtime where HIV positive teenagers meet once a year to support each other and to laugh and cry about living with HIV. Stephanie made an enormous impact on the mostly female audience.

On the Speakers Bureau Coordinator’s invitation, Stephanie joined the Speakers Bureau as a trainee speaker in 2006. The DHS HIV Community Grants made it possible for the Bureau to deliver Media training workshops to speakers and Stephanie jumped at the opportunity to participate. Stephanie seemed to soak up everything she learnt during the workshop and her DVD interviews were amazing to watch. Of particular note was the discrimination that Stephanie had experienced at school and her story is particularly poignant because of her resilience in overcoming this. Stephanie often quotes a statement made by one of the Camp Goodtime teenagers that she heard when she was 10 years old and it has become her mantra. “Those that matter don’t mind and those who mind don’t matter”. Stephanie is determined to inspire other HIV Positive teenagers with those words.

Inspiring speakers such as Stephanie will be the HIV ambassadors of the future and this award recognises the huge potential Stephanie has as an advocate of change in people perceptions about PLWHIV and the international work she has already done to break down stigma and discrimination. Her tenacity and willingness to talk about living with HIV as a teenager engenders immense admiration amongst those of us who have had the privilege of hearing her speak. We hope that she will inspire other young PLWHIV to become members of the Speakers Bureau.

Stephanie strongly believes that she will become an HIV activist and hopes to wipe out HIV stigma and discrimination. We sincerely hope that she does and this Award encourages her future development as a speaker to realise her dream.

Stephanie we salute you.