Deadly Sex Congress
This is our annual forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sexual health workers from across Queensland to update knowledge, build workforce capacity, and share stories.
The Deadly Sex Congress includes updates on current and emerging issues in blood-borne viruses (BBVs) and Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) covering topics such as hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis, harm reduction, contact tracing, men’s and women’s health, healthy relationships, sexuality and gender diversity, and resource development.
Deadly Sex Congress is free to attend, and accommodation will be provided to delegates for up to 2 nights. If you need support booking an additional night, please contact Cynthia at [email protected].
Where: Pullman Brisbane King George Square, Meanjin/Brisbane
When: Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th October, 2024
Attendee information and Program
The Deadly Sex Congress is an annual forum designed to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers and practitioners, community workers in relevant sectors, and those transitioning into sexual health or BBV service delivery.
It offers attendees an opportunity to update their knowledge, build their workforce capacity, share stories and learn about emerging issues in BBVs and STIs.
As an attendee, you will have up to 2 nights accommodation, breakfast, morning/afternoon tea and lunch provided for two days. You will also have dinner on the Wednesday night provided at the Deadly Sex Congress Awards dinner. Please note that travel is not included for delegates.
Present at Deadly Sex Congress 2024
On behalf of Deadly Sex Organising Committee, we are now calling for expressions of interest to present at the Deadly Sex Congress 2024. All topics and formats are welcome. The committee would particularly like to encourage health workers and practitioners to share their experiences, projects, programs and stories of work they have been doing within sexual health in their communities. Submit your EOI here.
The History of Deadly Sex
The Deadly Sex Congress was first held in 2003 and has alternated locations between North and South East Queensland. Deadly Sex is organised by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander sexual health workers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers through an Organising Committee Structure.
Deadly Sex Congress Organising Committee
Jaucintha Iles
Hi! I’m Jaucintha Harbin Iles and I’m a proud Yiman and South Sea Island woman from Rockhampton, in Central Queensland. I have worked with Queensland Health for 7 years. During the past 4 years as the Indigenous Health Liaison Officer at Capricorn Coast Hospital. In this position the majority of work I do is with women and youth. I help to educate them through promoting safe sex and contraception. We also talk about the services that are available for antenatal and postnatal care. Another job within the community here is that I assist with education around injecting drugs and other drug use throughout Central Queensland. One of my greatest achievements to date is working collaboratively with the Sexual Health team to implement the very first Sexual Health Clinic at Capricorn Coast Hospital. This clinic will assist me to spread the word in preventing STI’s and blood borne viruses that are affecting our mob here. I have found with every year attending this congress, I come home with increased knowledge and additional information and tools for me to bring back to my hospital staff and community. This knowledge assists me to spread the awareness to improve engagement, and definitely helps in closing the gaps and barriers. This is my 6th year attending the Deadly Sex Congress and I am very proud to be on the committee board with a deadly team.
Mario Assan
Mario Assan is a health professional with 25 years of experience working in indigenous health across the Torres and cape region. His current role since 2013 is a Senior Public Health Officer – Indigenous Sexual Health with the Cairns Public Health Unit and now based on Thursday Island with the Torres and Cape Hospital Health Service.
Community engagement and awareness is his passion, working with indigenous communities to ensure community consultation and engagement processes are established and maintained to provide guidance and local approval on all decision making and service planning in relation to STI services, both clinical and health promotion.
Colin Mickelo
Proud LGBTQIA+ Gay First Nations Jarowair man Colin Mickelo, who has strong connections to the Wakka Wakka and Gubbi Gubbi peoples.
I have 21+ years in community services which has lead me to The Institute for Urban Indigenous Health Quality and Innovation Social Health Team Transition Support Services as a Care Coordinator providing psychosocial support. I have a passion for Harm Reduction, Harm Minimisation and Blood Borne Viruses with a lived experience. I have worked on National projects “It’s your right” campaign over five years with the EC Australia, Burnnet Institute, UQ and Harm Reduction Organisations across Australia strategy to eliminate Hepatitis C by 2030. I’m currently working on the strategy for the elimination of HEP C by 2023 with NACCHO, Deadly Sex Committee for the 2nd Year, Way Back Support Service, Inner City Referral Service and Transition Support for positive health outcomes for our deadly strong and vibrant First Nations Communities.
Edan Campbell-O’Brien
I am a proud Yulluna man from North-West QLD, and Kuki Airani man with ancestral ties to Rarotonga, Aitutaki and Mangaia, living in Bowen. I currently work at ASHM as the Indigenous Health Engagement Advisor and have been in the role a tick over 12 months. Prior to ASHM, I worked at the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation – or NACCHO – where I was a part of the Communicable Diseases team, and going back further have had extensive experience within the Australian Public Service including time spent at both the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Commonwealth Department of Health. This will be my second time attending Deadly Sex and I always enjoy the knowledge sharing and connection with health workers right across QLD and the Straits.
Kristyn Ogwang
I have worked in research, digital health, aged care, and chronic disease across non-government organisations for nearly 15 years. As a new Senior Public Health Officer in the STI Team in Queensland Health’s Communicable Diseases Branch, I hope my years in health education and prevention across the lifespan support the excellent work delivered in sexual health programs. This will be my first Deadly Sex Congress, and I am honoured to be an observer in the Deadly Sex Organising Committee.
Jack Treschman
I am a proud Darumbal Man and for the last 3 years have worked with West Moreton Health as an Advanced Indigenous Health Worker, based in the Ipswich Sexual Health and Blood Borne Virus Clinic. Part of my work involves supporting young people within the Youth Detention centres by offering STI and BBV screenings, referrals, and Sexual Health education. I have a clinical caseload both in the Youth Detention Centres and in the community supporting clients with a wide range of infections and diseases. I am an appointed contact tracing officer and hold a Diploma in Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care. I am also a qualified and practicing health worker immuniser. My background before stepping into the health workforce was working in youth work and community development. I have a passion for ensuring the community from which I both live and work receives the support, care, guidance, and empowerment it needs to grow and develop and that equitable services are being provided. The 2024 Deadly Sex Congress will be my third time in attendance and this year being also special as my first time on the Deadly Sex Organising Committee.
Morgan Dempsey
Skye O’Halloran (Secretariat)
From growing up on beautiful Bundjalung country to now living on the land of the Yuggera and Turrbal people, I have had the privilege to call many places across Southeast Queensland home. I started working in the sexual health and BBV sector just over two years ago and have absolutely loved working on projects that support the healthcare workforce. I have a background in community development and previously have been involved with non-profit’s focused on community engagement and gender justice. This is my first year helping to coordinate Deadly Sex and working with the incredible members of the organising committee. I am looking forward to meeting you all at Deadly Sex 2024!
Cynthia Huang (Secretariat)
I was born and raised on the land of the Bidjigal people. As someone who is passionate about public health and would like to raise awareness on health prevention for both communities and health care workers, I am excited to be part of the Deadly Sex team and to visit Meanjin.
The Deadly Sex Congress is endorsed by the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners (NAATSIHWP) for 15 hours of CPD.
For any questions, contact:
Phone: 0417 855 051
Email: [email protected]
