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The Consumer Advisory Committee consists of eight community members from across our region. Our members represent diverse community and consumer perspectives of lived experience with health conditions and/or the use of health services.
Our committee provides guidance on strategies related to consumer and community involvement in health research translation to improve healthcare and health outcomes in rural and regional NSW.
We work to strengthen the diversity of community and consumer perspectives contributing to the quality and relevance of health research for our region.
Bavarian, wife, mother, grandmother and MS warrior.
Over the past 10 years, I have been engaged as a consumer representative and consumer consultant with NSW Regional Health Partners, Central Coast Local Health District, Ministry of Health, Clinical Excellence Commission, Agency for Clinical Innovation, the Center for Women’s Reproductive Health, and Monash University Melbourne. I am the President of my local MS Society, a member of the Beryl Institute, and am currently studying for the Certificate of Patient Experience Leadership.
After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis my life took quite a turn, but being a stoic person, I was able to fight back. Last year I completed a half marathon and am enrolled for this year’s Sydney half marathon. I love to get the most and best out of life.
This is also what I try to apply in my consumer input – everyone in our society/community should have the opportunity to live their best life, with the best possible and most dignified support.
I’m always looking to meet new people, learn, widen and enhance my knowledge, and build bridges between health pillars and consumers.
Sarah Lukeman is a cancer survivor and experienced health consumer advocate and representative and was the inaugural Chair of the NSW Regional Health Partners Consumer Advisory Committee.
Sarah has been on the Executive Committee of Cancer Voices NSW since 2017 and volunteered widely with Cancer Council NSW. She is a consumer partner to a number of discovery science researchers at the University of Newcastle and Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) and has extensive experience as a consumer in health and medical research.
Sarah is a regular speaker on Consumer Involvement in Research for National organisations, including White Coats Foundation and Clinical Trials: Thinking Smarter (CT:IQ). She co-designed and co-presented training for consumers and researchers on working together for Health Consumers NSW (HCNSW) and Sydney Health Partners (SHP). She’s currently a consumer representative on a CT:IQ working group developing a national, participant-friendly template for consent for clinical trials and health research.
Sarah was the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Hunter Cancer Research Alliance (HCRA) for 2 years and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Vivienne is an experienced consumer representative with a strong interest and commitment to improving health outcomes in the community through research and the implementation of evidenced based treatments. She is particularly interested in research into treatments for diabetes type 2, peripheral neuropathy, dementia and long covid. Vivienne has been a member of the Central Coast Local Health District Consumer Advisory Committee (CCLHD) for the past 6 years and is a founding member of the Hunter, Central Coast and NSW Regional Health Partners Consumer Advisory Committee. Her consumer representative experience includes active participation in the numerous CCHLD committees including operational research, falls, safety and quality, diabetes, allied health and community health.
Vivienne has also been active on various NSW Consumer Health Forums including the long covid and safety and quality working groups. Having firsthand experience with long term type 2 diabetes, Vivienne participates on various NSW Diabetes working groups.
To promote better health management, Vivienne has trained as a peer educator under the health promotions for older people and for the past nine years, she has provided numerous presentations on various health topics to senior groups in the Central Coast, Lake Macquarie and Hunter regions. Vivienne Scott has a professional background in tertiary education, vocational training, research, senior management and small business.
Ashraf is a remarkable individual who has made a significant impact on the CALD community in Newcastle through his tireless efforts to uplift and empower others. With a long list of achievements, including several national awards, he was most recently awarded the 2022 NSW Premier’s Multicultural Language Service Medal.
Since November 2020, Ashraf has been serving as a consumer representative for NSW Regional Health Partners’ Consumer Advisory Committee, where he represents CALD communities in Newcastle. He has also previously served as a Cultural Support Worker, providing support to CALD community members during the pandemic, and as a consumer representative on the Multicultural Access Mental Health/Drug and Alcohol Committee Multicultural Health Services in Hunter New England Local Health District. Ashraf’s advocacy work has been critical in raising awareness of mental health issues and promoting access to mental health services for CALD community members.
Ashraf has been actively involved in community work, with a particular emphasis on supporting the CALD Community in Newcastle, especially youth. He has organised a range of workshops and provided resources to assist refugees in starting their businesses and promoting their wellbeing. Additionally, he has established social soccer meetups, a multilingual book club, and cultural celebrations to promote community connections and personal growth. Ashraf has also created an Arab youth network, which has been instrumental in connecting and empowering young people in the community. Despite his numerous accomplishments, Ashraf has found the time to establish CALD Connect, which provides language and community services in the Hunter region.
Currently, Ashraf is employed as an Arabic interpreter at Multicultural Health Services in the Hunter New England Health Local Health District.
Ben is an emerging leader in the lived experience and peer workforce space, and an experienced and passionate lived experience advisor and advocate.
Having recovered from challenges with substance use, mental health and suicidality, Ben is passionate about growing lived experience inclusion in mental health and drug and alcohol services, and ensuring the voices of consumers, family members and carers are heard in improving our services.
Ben was recently appointed a three-year term as a lived experience representative on the NSW Mental Health Commission Community Advisory Council. He is also a member of the National Suicide Prevention Office Lived Experience Partnership Group, providing advice and lived expertise to guide the development of a national suicide prevention strategy.
Ben has spoken as a consumer and person with lived experience at various events such as BEING Connected and NSW Consumer Peer Workers Forum; both events for professionals working in the lived experience space. He has also been invited to speak at webinars, education sessions and podcasts, and is involved in student and disability advocacy at Charles Sturt University, his local university.
Ben currently works as a Lived Experience Team Leader at Dubbo Safe Haven, providing a non-clinical alternative to emergency departments for people experiencing suicidal and emotional crisis. Here he uses his lived and living experience of suicidality and mental health to role model recovery, support consumers during their time of distress and provide supportive environments to plan for safety and wellness with consumers of the service.
I am an anthropology PhD candidate at the University of Newcastle researching Solarpunk as a movement engaging with the current climate crisis, and the need to imagine hopeful alternative futures to work towards.
I come from a convict/”settler Australian” background and grew up in various parts of regional NSW before moving to Newcastle (Mullubinba, Awabakal country) in 2007. I have been involved with advocacy across environmental, social justice, disability, and LGBTQIA+ issues in the Hunter region for many years.
I have lived experience with disability, neurodivergence, and queer health both as a ‘health consumer’ and as a support person. Like many people, my life has been quite varied with lots of twists and turns and sudden disruptions. I’m super passionate about diversity and inclusion and public health and look forward to collaborating with a wide range of people to improve community engagement across health research, policy, and program implementation.
Joy is a Kenyan born woman with 3 children who came to Australia as a student in 2005. She holds two degrees in Law obtained in India, a French proficiency certification, an Advanced Diploma in Hospitality and Event Management from TAFE, a Cert IV in Human Resources, a Diploma in Community Services as well as a Diploma in Mental Health.
Joy has a passion for the recognition of Human Rights, equality and inclusion as well as mental wellbeing and suicide prevention for ethnic communities. Her passion stems from eight years’ lived experience of mental health issues, and experience within service provision.
Joy is driven to advocate for her community to address stigma and to educate service providers and the community to challenge attitudes and beliefs around disability and mental illness.
She has recently been re-appointed as the Leader of NSW Mental Health Foundation of Australia Mental Health Attachés program.
