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About the Conference

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Conference Theme


The Preventive Health Conference is an important conference on the public health calendar, convened by the PHAA. It aims at providing a platform to engage, challenge and exchange ideas, where pivotal issues for building prevention in Australia are discussed and where delegates can learn from the experience, opinions and perspectives of sector leaders and their peers. Attendance is in person or watch plenary sessions online live via the ‘Plenary Hub’ portal.

As the Western Australian Government prepares to deliver a Preventative Health Strategy, it is an opportune time for the conference in Perth to highlight that prevention is a shared responsibility.

 

The proposed theme for the 2027 Preventive Health Conference is ‘Prevention – It’s Everybody’s Business’.

 

The theme recognises that many of the most effective and sustainable approaches to improving health and wellbeing lie outside the traditional health system and focus upstream by addressing the social, political, environmental, economic and commercial determinants of health. Involving all relevant sectors and actors in prevention supports a more comprehensive, coordinated and effective approach to addressing these determinants of health and creates opportunities that no single sector could achieve independently.

 

Moving the dial towards improvements in health and wellbeing is not just a challenge for the health sector. It requires a shared responsibility across government, sectors and society. With areas such as housing, education, jobs, transport and the environment shaping our health and wellbeing and contributing to costs borne by the health system, strong and coordinated effort is required to change the conditions in which we are born and where we live, work, play, learn and age. Upstream prevention initiatives that are the most effective in improving long-term health outcomes also maximise health equity for priority population groups identified as otherwise experiencing poorer health outcomes.

 

Ultimately, a focus on prevention delivers benefits not just for the health system, but generates benefits across a wide range of sectors. With other states and territories looking to elevate the focus on prevention for their respective governments, it’s critical that we continue to highlight and explore opportunities for sharing the responsibility for prevention now and into the future.

Conference Objectives

The objectives of the conference are to:  

  • Create an environment that promotes collaboration and knowledge sharing and supports the development of a skilled and connected public health ecosystem to sustain prevention efforts into the future.
  • Create opportunities to discuss issues of diversity, disability, and accessibility, and provide opportunities for all delegates to participate.
  • Provide guidance and insight into ways of capacity building and strengthening of systems that support prevention.
  • Provide conference delegates with new and innovative ideas that can be applied to local settings to help create and improve preventive health for local communities.

Our challenge, set by the previous Conference Advisory Committee chairs, is to make this conference work better for on-the-ground health promotion workers involved in prevention, while making sure it keeps working well for academics and policymakers.

Target Audience

Our target audience is stakeholders able to effect and/or influence change at the systems and/or practice level including: (but not limited to):​

  • Researchers and academics
  • General practice sector
  • Health care professionals engaged in prevention (doctors, nurses, allied health, dentists, pharmacists)
  • Commonwealth and state policy staff including Ministers/ministerial staff, and health and social sector department representatives
  • Local government
  • NGO/community and social sector provider and advocacy organisations
  • School Health Promotion workers
  • Values-aligned businesses and organisations, playing a role in funding and implementing prevention initiatives


Program Content and Structure

The program will run over three days, comprising of plenary and concurrent sessions. Plenary sessions feature expert international and national speakers, while concurrent sessions include abstract presentations and workshops (call for submissions will be open ahead of the conference).


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Conference Advisory Committee

Gary Sacks - Profile Photo

Prof. Gary Sacks

Co-Chair

Position

Professor of Public Health Policy, Deakin University

Biography

Gary Sacks is Professor of Public Health Policy and Co-Director of the Deakin Centre for Global Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE) at Deakin University, Australia. He is also Director of The Evidence Exchange, a research translation centre focused on the economic and

commercial determinants of health. His expertise is in food policy and

corporate influences on health. He has co-authored several international reports on nutrition policy and obesity prevention, including the Lancet Commission on Obesity, and several reports for UNICEF and the World Health

Organization. He is Strategic Director of INFORMAS, an international network (active in >70 countries) focused on enabling healthy food environments.

Jo Graham Smith Profile Photo

Ms Joanne Graham-Smith

Co-Chair

Position

Senior Manager Projects And Strategy, Healthway

Biography

Joanne is an experienced health promotion professional having worked in various roles across the government, non-government and research sectors over the last twenty years. Joanne commenced at Healthway in 2009 and is currently Senior Manager Policy and Strategy, responsible for driving Healthway’s strategic agenda and advocacy efforts. She has a strong commitment to preventative health action and reducing the escalating impacts of chronic disease.

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Dr. Jelena Maticevic

Position

A/Deputy Chief Health Officer – Public Health, Department of Health WA, Public and Aboriginal Health Division

Biography

A/Deputy Chief Health Officer – Public Health, Department of Health WA, Public and Aboriginal Health Division

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Ms Anna Bauze

Position

Manager - Translational Research, Preventive Health SA

Biography

Manager - Translational Research, Preventive Health SA

Dr. Simone Nalatu

Position

A/Senior Director Prevention Systems, Health and Wellbeing Queensland

Biography

As Senior Director, Prevention Systems, Dr Nalatu provides

strategic leadership to advance health promotion, chronic disease prevention and digital innovation across Queensland. She works collaboratively with all levels of government, the health system and community partners to strengthen prevention capability, drive system reform and improve health outcomes.


With more than 20 years’ experience across public health, research, policy and health promotion, Dr Nalatu is recognised for bringing together research, policy and practice to deliver prevention initiatives that create lasting impact. Her career includes significant contributions to health equity and food security for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, reflecting her commitment to evidence-informed, community-centred approaches. She is known for building strong partnerships and translating evidence into practical solutions.

Clare Collings - Profile Photo

Ms Clare Collings

Position

Lead, Commercial and Economic Systems, VicHealth

Biography

Clare Collings is a public health professional with expertise spanning finance, health promotion and the commercial determinants of health.

Her current role is Lead, Commercial and Economic Systems at the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), where she works across policy, advocacy, research and partnerships. Her work focuses on the marketing practices of health-harming industries and their influence on population health, with a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of Victorians.

Sarah Dash Profile Photo

Dr. Sarah Dash

Position

Manager Research Strategy and Impact, Heart Foundation

Biography

Dr. Sarah Dash is Manager, Research Strategy and Impact at the Heart Foundation, with expertise in research strategy, impact assessment, program evaluation and knowledge translation. Sarah has a background in public health research and completed her PhD at Deakin University, where her research examined the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of depression. She has worked across academia, health policy and the not-for-profit sector with experience spanning public health, chronic disease prevention, mental health and health promotion. In her current role, Sarah leads research strategy, evaluation and impact activities across the Heart Foundation's cardiovascular research portfolio, supporting evidence-informed investment and decision-making. Her work focuses on maximising the value and impact of research and ensuring evidence is translated into policy, practice and improved health outcomes.

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Ms Paige Preston

Position

Chief Strategy Officer, Lung Foundation Australia

Biography

Chief Strategy Officer, Lung Foundation Australia

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Ms Gemma Tuxworth

Position

Partnerships and Impact Manager, The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre

Biography

Partnerships and Impact Manager, The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre

Veronica Perera - Profile Photo

Ms Veronica Perera

Position

Executive Officer, Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance

Biography

Veronica Perera is the Executive Officer of the Australian Chronic

Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA). She holds qualifications in public health, journalism and podiatry, and has worked extensively in the health, not-for-profit, peak body and government sectors. Veronica has expertise in policy development and advocacy in preventive health, alcohol harm reduction, cancer control and supportive care. Most recently, she worked for CEOs of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, supporting the development of Victoria’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.

Veronica began her career as a podiatrist, supporting people experiencing poor health outcomes in some of Melbourne’s most

disadvantaged communities. This formative experience sparked a lifelong commitment to addressing the social determinants of health and reducing health inequities. She is passionate about ensuring the voices and experiences of priority communities are embedded in policy and practice.

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Mr Luke van der Beeke

Position

Vice President, Australian Health Promotion Association | Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Behaviour Change Collaborative

Biography

Vice President, Australian Health Promotion Association | Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Behaviour Change Collaborative

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Ms Melissa Ledger

Position

Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Cancer Council WA

Biography

Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Cancer Council WA

Victoria Toulkidis Profile Photo

Ms Victoria Toulkidis

Position

Assistant Director, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Biography

Victoria Toulkidis is a public health policy professional with experience across the Australian Government, Parliament and the not-for-profit sector. She holds a Master of Public Health (Research) and has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes through evidence-based policy, program management and stakeholder engagement.

Victoria currently works in the Prevention and Equity Branch, Population Health Division at the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

She has worked on a diverse range of public health and social policy issues, including palliative care, aged care, digital health, alcohol harm prevention and the social determinants of health. She is passionate about strengthening public health systems and ensuring policy is informed by evidence, consumer perspectives and a commitment to health equity.

Claire Johnson - Profile Photo

Dr. Claire Johnson

Position

Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, PHAA

Biography

Claire is a public health nutritionist and policy specialist with more than 15 years' experience advancing evidence-based strategies to improve population health and food systems, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. 

She was formerly Global Technical Lead for Food Environments at Unicef headquarters in New York City. She is also a former Regional Nutrition Specialist in the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office.


Claire holds a PhD in nutrition epidemiology, and a Master of International Public Health.

Paris Lord - Profile Photo

Mr Paris Lord

Position

Communications and MediaManager, PHAA

Biography

Mr Paris Lord has more than two decades’ experience including senior roles with the Australian Local Government Association, Australian National University, and Australian Consulate-General Shanghai.

He has been a senator’s media advisor, and worked as a commercial radio, print, magazine, and newspaper journalist in Australia and east Asia.

Gary Sacks - Profile Photo
Prof. Gary Sacks
Co-Chair
Position

Professor of Public Health Policy, Deakin University

Biography

Gary Sacks is Professor of Public Health Policy and Co-Director of the Deakin Centre for Global Preventive Health and Nutrition (GLOBE) at Deakin University, Australia. He is also Director of The Evidence Exchange, a research translation centre focused on the economic and

commercial determinants of health. His expertise is in food policy and

corporate influences on health. He has co-authored several international reports on nutrition policy and obesity prevention, including the Lancet Commission on Obesity, and several reports for UNICEF and the World Health

Organization. He is Strategic Director of INFORMAS, an international network (active in >70 countries) focused on enabling healthy food environments.

Jo Graham Smith Profile Photo
Ms Joanne Graham-Smith
Co-Chair
Position

Senior Manager Projects And Strategy, Healthway

Biography

Joanne is an experienced health promotion professional having worked in various roles across the government, non-government and research sectors over the last twenty years. Joanne commenced at Healthway in 2009 and is currently Senior Manager Policy and Strategy, responsible for driving Healthway’s strategic agenda and advocacy efforts. She has a strong commitment to preventative health action and reducing the escalating impacts of chronic disease.

Logo for Preventive Health Conference
Dr. Jelena Maticevic
Position

A/Deputy Chief Health Officer – Public Health, Department of Health WA, Public and Aboriginal Health Division

Biography

A/Deputy Chief Health Officer – Public Health, Department of Health WA, Public and Aboriginal Health Division

Logo for Preventive Health Conference
Ms Anna Bauze
Position

Manager - Translational Research, Preventive Health SA

Biography

Manager - Translational Research, Preventive Health SA

Dr. Simone Nalatu
Position

Senior Director Prevention Systems, Health and Wellbeing Queensland

Biography

As Senior Director, Prevention Systems, Dr Nalatu provides

strategic leadership to advance health promotion, chronic disease prevention and digital innovation across Queensland. She works collaboratively with all levels of government, the health system and community partners to strengthen prevention capability, drive system reform and improve health outcomes.


With more than 20 years’ experience across public health, research, policy and health promotion, Dr Nalatu is recognised for bringing together research, policy and practice to deliver prevention initiatives that create lasting impact. Her career includes significant contributions to health equity and food security for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, reflecting her commitment to evidence-informed, community-centred approaches. She is known for building strong partnerships and translating evidence into practical solutions.

Clare Collings - Profile Photo
Ms Clare Collings
Position

Lead, Commercial and Economic Systems, VicHealth

Biography

Clare Collings is a public health professional with expertise spanning finance, health promotion and the commercial determinants of health.

Her current role is Lead, Commercial and Economic Systems at the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), where she works across policy,

advocacy, research and partnerships. Her work focuses on the marketing practices of health-harming industries and their influence on population health, with a focus on improving the health and wellbeing of Victorians.

Sarah Dash Profile Photo
Dr. Sarah Dash
Position

Manager Research Strategy and Impact, Heart Foundation

Biography

Dr. Sarah Dash is Manager, Research Strategy and Impact at the Heart Foundation, with expertise in research strategy, impact assessment, program evaluation and knowledge translation. Sarah has a background in public health research and completed her PhD at Deakin University, where her research examined the role of diet in the prevention and treatment of depression. She has worked across academia, health policy and the not-for-profit sector with experience spanning public health, chronic disease prevention, mental health and health promotion. In her current role, Sarah leads research strategy, evaluation and impact activities across the Heart Foundation's cardiovascular research portfolio, supporting evidence-informed investment and decision-making. Her work focuses on maximising the value and impact of research and ensuring evidence is translated into policy, practice and improved health outcomes.

Logo for Preventive Health Conference
Ms Paige Preston
Position

Chief Strategy Officer, Lung Foundation Australia

Biography

Chief Strategy Officer, Lung Foundation Australia

Logo for Preventive Health Conference

Ms Gemma Tuxworth

Position

Partnerships and Impact Manager, The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre

Biography

Partnerships and Impact Manager, The Australian Prevention Partnership Centre

Veronica Perera - Profile Photo
Ms Veronica Perera
Position

Executive Officer, Australian Chronic Disease Prevention Alliance

Biography

Veronica Perera is the Executive Officer of the Australian Chronic

Disease Prevention Alliance (ACDPA). She holds qualifications in public health, journalism and podiatry, and has worked extensively in the health, not-for-profit, peak body and government sectors. Veronica has expertise in policy development and advocacy in preventive health, alcohol harm reduction, cancer control and supportive care. Most recently, she worked for CEOs of Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, supporting the development of Victoria’s Closing the Gap Implementation Plan.

Veronica began her career as a podiatrist, supporting people experiencing poor health outcomes in some of Melbourne’s most

disadvantaged communities. This formative experience sparked a lifelong commitment to addressing the social determinants of health and reducing health inequities. She is passionate about ensuring the voices and experiences of priority communities are embedded in policy and practice.

Logo for Preventive Health Conference
Mr Luke van der Beeke
Position

Vice President, Australian Health Promotion Association | Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Behaviour Change Collaborative

Biography

Vice President, Australian Health Promotion Association | Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Behaviour Change Collaborative

Logo for Preventive Health Conference
Ms Melissa Ledger
Position

Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Cancer Council WA

Biography

Cancer Prevention and Research Director, Cancer Council WA

Victoria Toulkidis Profile Photo
Ms Victoria Toulkidis
Position

Assistant Director, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Biography

Victoria Toulkidis is a public health policy professional with experience across the Australian Government, Parliament and the not-for-profit sector. She holds a Master of Public Health (Research) and has dedicated her career to improving health outcomes through evidence-based policy, program management and stakeholder engagement.

Victoria currently works in the Prevention and Equity Branch, Population Health Division at the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.

She has worked on a diverse range of public health and social policy issues, including palliative care, aged care, digital health, alcohol harm prevention and the social determinants of health. She is passionate about strengthening public health systems and ensuring policy is informed by evidence, consumer perspectives and a commitment to health equity.

Claire Johnson - Profile Photo
Dr. Claire Johnson
Position

Senior Policy and Advocacy Officer, PHAA

Biography

Claire is a public health nutritionist and policy specialist with more than 15 years' experience advancing evidence-based strategies to improve population health and food systems, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries. 

She was formerly Global Technical Lead for Food Environments at Unicef headquarters in New York City. She is also a former Regional Nutrition Specialist in the Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office.


Claire holds a PhD in nutrition epidemiology, and a Master of International Public Health.

Paris Lord - Profile Photo
Mr Paris Lord
Position

Communications and MediaManager, PHAA

Biography

Mr Paris Lord has more than two decades’ experience including senior roles with the Australian Local Government Association, Australian National University, and Australian Consulate-General Shanghai.

He has been a senator’s media advisor, and worked as a commercial radio, print, magazine, and newspaper journalist in Australia and east Asia.

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Conference Host

The Public Health Association of Australia (PHAA) is recognised as the principal non-government organisation for public health in Australia and works to promote the health and well-being of all Australians. The Association seeks better population health outcomes based on prevention, the social determinants of health and equity principles.

PHAA is a national organisation comprising around 1,900 individual members and representing over 40 professional groups concerned with the promotion of health at a population level. The Public Health Association of Australia provides forums for the discussion of public health in Australia and a voice of a wide variety of professional public health workers.

The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health (ANZJPH), PHAA provides Australia’s basic public health infrastructure that links those undertaking research in public health and those undertaking policy and program development and implementation.

Via our conferences, workshops, forums and other member events, we bring together those seeking to debate scientific evidence, policy and program evaluation and options for the further and better development of public health in Australia.

The Policy Statements that are developed within PHAA are provided to the public to help educate Australians about the scientific evidence and policy options around public health. They are also the primary resource for our advocacy efforts efforts that underlie bringing policy alternatives to the attention of governments and bureaucrats.

For more information or to become a member, visit our website. 


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