Amanda is a queer Tongan Australian woman, born in Geelong, with a long history of community leadership, intersectionality work, and lived experience advocacy across disability, LGBTQIASB+ and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Her connection to LGBTQIASB+ inclusion is both personal and professional, grounded in her faith, multicultural family with disabilities, and her work with Manda Mae – The Lived Experience Project, which focuses on building safer and more inclusive spaces. Amanda joined the Advisory Committee to help strengthen representation, amplify diverse voices, and ensure local decision-making reflects the realities of local communities. She hopes to contribute practical, intersectional insight and support initiatives that build belonging, visibility and safety for all LGBTQIASB+ people across Geelong

Bree is a DEI consultant and coach, working with organisations to move beyond surface-level inclusion and focus on what creates meaningful change. Their connection to LGBTQIA+ inclusion is both personal and professional, as a trans non-binary person and through their work in this space. They joined the Advisory Committee because they are interested in contributing to work that has a real impact in their community. Having lived in Geelong their whole life, Bree wants to see the local queer community thrive alongside friends, neighbours and colleagues. They bring a mix of lived experience and practical insight, with a focus on what is realistic, intersectional and grounded in community voice. They hope to support outcomes that make a meaningful difference in people’s day-to-day lives.

Daniel is the Founder and Managing Director of Barwon Proud, a community-led initiative focused on LGBTQIA+ visibility, connection and advocacy across the Barwon region. Alongside this, he works as an organisational psychology and culture practitioner and leader across for-purpose and private sector organisations, applying behavioural science to improve culture, leadership and performance. Daniel’s connection to inclusion is both personal and professional, with a strong focus on how systems and behaviours shape belonging. He is motivated to contribute evidence-based, systemic approaches that embed inclusion into everyday organisational practice.

David Capstick is a clinical psychologist, Geelong community member, husband, father, and proud gay man. Alongside his clinical, academic and research background in the LGBTQIA+ space, David has long been dedicated to advocating for LGBTQIA+ communities and amplifying their voices at local and international levels. Having grown up in Geelong as a queer young person during a time when fewer local supports and services were available, he is proud of the progress Geelong has made while recognising there is still more to do. Informed by these early experiences, his background in healthcare, and his recent experience of becoming a first-time father, David joined the City of Greater Geelong LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee with a particular interest in improving social, health and wellbeing opportunities and outcomes for queer individuals and rainbow families in the Geelong community.

Imogen is a passionate youth advocate in the Geelong community, having been born in and lived across many suburbs of Geelong her whole life. She founded and independently runs her own micro social enterprise Be Loud and Queer, which is dedicated to amplifying and raising the voices of queer people on the journey towards worldwide acceptance. Volunteering her time on various youth advisory committees, she is excited to be a part of the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee, to further her work in the queer advocacy space through this role, and help to create a safer Geelong for all LGBTQIA+ people.

Nic is a senior People and Culture leader with a career spanning organisational change, workforce inclusion and culture building across public and not-for-profit environments. Throughout his work, he has focused on creating positive, inclusive employee experiences and helping organisations translate values and policy into practical day-to-day outcomes for their people. Nic’s connection to LGBTQIA+ inclusion is both professional and personal, shaped by a strong belief in fairness, safety and belonging at work and in the community. Having been reappointed for a second term, Nic is keen to continue contributing his experience, perspective and commitment to progress through the Advisory Committee, supporting meaningful and lasting outcomes for LGBTQIA+ people in the Geelong region.

Rhett is excited to be part of the LGBTQIA+ Advisory Committee for the City of Greater Geelong. He and his husband have enjoyed living in Geelong for the past decade, and he is passionate about strengthening a sense of belonging for LGBTQIA+ people across the community. Having experienced the vibrancy and visibility of LGBTQIA+ life in Melbourne, Rhett is motivated to help create more opportunities for connection, inclusion and authenticity in Geelong. As a public servant committed to giving back to the community, he is excited to support initiatives that improve the experiences, wellbeing and visibility of LGBTQIA+ people in the region. 

Stephen has worked for over 20 years in a range of public sector roles in both Australia and the UK. He is currently a Regional Economic Development Adviser in the Victorian Government’s industry department.  Stephen is also Chair of the Geelong Pride Film Festival, which he founded with a group of community volunteers in 2017. Through this role, he has worked with many organisations across the Geelong region to improve LGBTIQA+ diversity and inclusion.  His passions include cinema, education and community development. He holds a Doctorate of Business, an MBA and a Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University, as well as a Bachelor of Public Policy and Management from the University of Melbourne.

Toni brings over 20 years of experience in leadership and transformation, with a strong focus on inclusive, people-centred outcomes. As a passionate advocate for LGBTQIA+ equity, she has led initiatives that build visibility, belonging and access. Toni joined the Advisory Committee to help create safer and more inclusive communities. She is keen to contribute practical insight and support meaningful, lasting change.

Zac is a Geelong local, born and raised, and currently living in Corio. He works as both a Council town planner and a small business owner, operating a dance studio. Through these roles, he has built strong connections across the community, particularly with young people, families, and those engaging in creative and social spaces. Zac was motivated to join the Advisory Committee to contribute his experience working within Council systems, alongside his perspective as a local business owner and LGBTQIA+ community member. He is particularly interested in supporting initiatives that strengthen social inclusion and ensure all community voices are reflected in decision-making.