Allana O’Fee, Robert Nersisyan, Khushi Makwana, and AnnMarie Eke-Uka
Our Australian Public Health Conference was this year held on Dharawal Country / Wollongong in September. Around 400 delegates discussed public health challenges around the conference theme ‘leadership and collaboration to connect a divided world’. Scholarship winners Allana O’Fee, Robert Nersisyan, Khushi Makwana, and AnnMarie Eke-Uka described their experiences.
Allana O’Fee, Senior Health Promotion Officer of the Townsville Public Health Unit, received the PHAA QLD branch scholarship.
As an early-career public health professional, this opportunity was both inspiring and grounding — a reminder of the collective impact of our work and the power of connection across sectors, disciplines, and communities.
The conference highlighted the breadth of public health research taking place across Australia. As I listened, I found myself reflecting on how we can ensure these research outcomes are translated into meaningful, sustainable change. As someone working directly with communities, I often see how valuable evidence can remain underutilised. The challenge, and opportunity, lies in strengthening partnerships.
One powerful session was “Indigenous Voices Shaping the Future”. It highlighted how misinformation and fear shapes public understanding — not only in the 2023 Voice referendum, but across all areas of public health. The phrase “If you don’t know, go find out” served as a personal reminder that our learning must be ongoing, guided by curiosity, humility, and action.
I was reminded of the importance of advocacy as a core skill within the public health workforce. Our sector’s success depends not only on evidence, but on our ability to communicate it effectively, influence decision-making, and persist through political complexity.
The conference reinforced why I’m passionate about this field. Public health is inherently political, deeply collaborative, and profoundly human. It was a reminder that research must reach practice to truly make a difference; advocacy and communication are as vital as technical expertise; and equity and cultural humility must remain at the heart of everything we do.
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Robert Nersisyan, a student at the University of Technology Sydney, received the PHAA NSW branch scholarship.
Learning from public health experts was truly a surreal experience. Before the conference, I had a strong interest across food health, global health, and the environment.
I learned invaluable things relating to these topics and more, and I feel confident in applying this knowledge throughout my career.I really enjoyed the student satellite event where I interacted with other students and industry experts.
I also had a great time at the PHAA ceremonial dinner, interacting casually with the same professionals I’d cited in academic writing.
The conference was an opportunity to grow my professional network with people that I aspire to work with. I gained priceless, timeless advice, lifelong friendships and eternal knowledge, bolstering my growth. I have had a keen interest to work in the government sector since I started my studies. Getting the chance to network with people currently in the public service solidified that.
This conference reaffirmed the value of public health, and its incredible importance to society, especially as a bachelor’s degree. It is not just an optional extra. With University of Technology Sydney trying to suspend the new intake for Public Health studies, aspiring students like me lose the opportunity of experiencing such conferences. Suspension would reduce the number of health graduates, who would’ve increased the supply of employees in a vital, in demand industry.
The conference has empowered me to continue fighting for social justice and I’m grateful for Sanofi for funding my scholarship. I am excited to attend future PHAA events.
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Khushi Makwana, a Master of Public Health student at Central Queensland University, Melbourne, was awarded the PHAA Victoria Branch scholarship.
It was a transformative opportunity. Not only did it allow me to attend my first national conference, it included a one-year PHAA membership.
I delivered my first national-level conference presentation on our Victorian Branch project, “One Voice Alliance: Unifying Voices for the 2026 Election”. Preparing and delivery taught me the importance of collaboration, evidence-based advocacy, and persistence. Chairing a session on non-communicable diseases was equally enriching. I was inspired by the researchers’ innovative approaches.
The plenaries and workshops provided insights into emerging public health priorities. Each session expanded my understanding of how interconnected our world is. I was particularly inspired by Dr Kira Fortine’s message that “the place where we are born matters”, and by the One Health framework integrating human, animal, and planetary health to build sustainable futures.
A highlight was the plenary on Indigenous Voices in Shaping Our Future, where Professor Brownyn Fredericks’ words, “Stay true to Uluru, and keep the fire burning”, gave me goosebumps. Learning about AI applications in disease detection, health communication, and surveillance expanded my perspectives on innovation and how it can enhance prevention and equity. Workshops on gambling harm prevention, media communication, and establishment of the Australian Centre for Disease Control increased my knowledge.
The people I met were the heart of this experience. Connecting with passionate researchers, practitioners, and fellow students reminded me that learning continues through every conversation.
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AnnMarie Eke-Uka, a student at the University of Wollongong, received a PHAA NSW Branch scholarship.
The conference was an inspiring experience that gave me the opportunity to explore public health topics, including First Nations health, health promotion, epidemiology, One Health, food, health policy, environmental health, and migrant health.
A highlight was a session about multidisciplinary workforce models for older adults in community care. It addressed how collaboration can improve health outcomes. Hearing different perspectives and learning from experienced professionals helped me appreciate the many roles in public health, and the value of evidence-based practice.
The conference was also about connecting with others who share a passion for public health.
Meeting professionals and fellow students, sharing ideas, and reflecting on real-world applications made the experience incredibly rewarding. I am grateful for this opportunity, and excited to apply these insights to my studies and future work.
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