Community Advisory Committee Members 2025

Dr Ashley Ng is diabetes advocate and researcher. Her experience and career stemmed from her own journey with a complicated diabetes diagnosis at the age of 19. Her research interests include use of mHealth technology, co-designing diabetes education and support programs and best practice consumer and community involvement.

Ashley currently serves on several committees to champion the lived experience voice in alignment with her research interests. This includes Chair of the Diabetes Australia Kellion Advisory Council, Co-Chair of the Australian Diabetes Educators Association Research Advisory Group and founder and moderator of a young adult with type 2 diabetes support group.

Dr. Charitha Dissanayake, 55+, has lived with type 2 diabetes for 25 years. An academic and community worker, he teaches media and communication at the University of Melbourne.

Passionate about sharing diabetes information with culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities, he leverages his expertise in radio to create impactful programs.

A member of both Diabetes Victoria’s and Diabetes Australia’s Community Advisory Committees, Charitha has received national recognition, including the Best Ethnic Radio Program Award, for his innovative work in developing radio models for ethnic audiences. His research and community broadcasting aim to empower CALD communities with accessible, language-specific diabetes education.

I am 35 years old and was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes at 19 years of age.

Although I have a strong family history of diabetes in my family, getting diagnosed at 19 years of age was a really devastating moment for me. I felt very isolated, as type 2 diabetes at a young age was seldomly heard of at the time.

I was studying the Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics at the time and became involved as a volunteer in several diabetes camps. I was in admiration of the camp participants and volunteers in how resilient they are.

As a person from an Asian background, I see the struggles my family has with their health and diabetes and challenges they face in accessing healthcare.

Hi, I’m Jayden, a 37-year-old Marketing Manager for HART Sport, and a father of a young child with type 1 diabetes (T1D). This isn’t about me though, the spotlight should be on my daughter Harper, who is the bravest girl I’ve ever met.

 She was diagnosed a little over a year ago and even though our diagnosis is still fresh, I’ve already seen the hurdles and stigmas that a child with T1D can face. All I want is for my daughter to live as normal a life as possible, and I will do everything I can to help make that happen.”

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1983. I went to the doctor to get a medical certificate so I could get out of work on a Monday and I walked out with diabetes. Not what I expected! 

I am married with 3 children with my son and youngest daughter contracting type 1 when they were 8 and 5 years respectively. It’s been a long and challenging journey for my whole family, but we have been able to get through what’s been thrown at us.

I have used a pump and CGM for many years and am passionate about people having access to the best technologies and education.

Whether it’s family, business, sport, or music, diabetes hasn’t stopped me from doing what I want because I haven’t let it, and neither have my children which is a credit to them. It takes the whole family, and their support is so important. 

We are so lucky to have wonderful technology to control diabetes which makes me feel positive about my longer-term health but it’s still hard work.

I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) in May 1965. This followed a diagnosis of overactive thyroid at the age of nine! About six weeks later, I was diagnosed with T1D (interrelated as an immune response situation).

I was admitted to the RCH and it felt like forever that I was in hospital watching my mother inject into oranges in preparation for me being discharged home. The syringes were glass back then, and the needles were thick as …  All were kept in methylated spirits and then rinsed in distilled water prior to drawing up the pig/beef derived insulin of the time. I didn’t commence injecting myself until after I returned home.

Throughout the years and especially during my adolescence, I wanted to ignore (and did at times) my T1D.

I struggled over the years until I took up a position as Program Evaluator of a diabetes education program, headed up by Prof. Paul Zimmet. I was there for three years and had access to many experts in one place. It made such a difference to my views about my diabetes management. 

At the age of 60 I wanted another change for better, tighter control so changed endocrinologists and started using a Medtronic pump and Guardian sensors. An absolutely brilliant decision as my HbA1c is now within range. I have been able to upgrade Medtronic pumps over the years and also participated in several research projects run out of St. Vincent’s hospital. 

 Knowledge is power and I have always sought to inform myself of current research and practices.

Along my T1D journey I have experienced many complications including retinopathy, kidney function reduction, cardiac/heart (triple bypass in 2017). I have also educated myself to Masters degree level and enjoyed a long-term professional career. I currently work two days a week as a Conciliator.

Diabetes has not prevented me from achieving my life and career goals – it is merely an ongoing chronic condition that I manage with the support of my health professional team.

I will always gladly set people straight about diabetes – what it is and what it is not.

Ricki Spencer (Her) M.Ed. BSW. BA B.Ed. is a qualified teacher, social worker. They are a public advocate for people living with a disability, transgender, and forced adoptions who are important identities lived. Ricki speaks openly about living with mental health Issues and thriving.

 Ricki writes in areas of health, education, Queer Intersectionality, and the values of recycling waste in urban areas.

 She is the current Convenor for Sociology of Teaching in Australia and Critical Disabilities and Indigenous Knowledges of the Australian Sociological Association, Consumer Advisory Member for CIH Australia, Consumer Panel Member for Royal Melbourne Hospital, Executive Advisory Committee, Member for Breast Screening Victoria and St Vincent’s Hospital, Ambassador for Advance Care Planning Australia. First Nations Advisory Committee Member Volunteering Victoria, LGBTQA Health Australia First Nations Health Steering Committee, Doherty Institute, Media Officer at Reconciliation Victoria and Community Representative for RACP Digital Health Working Group.  Ricki has over 25 years’ experience working in welfare provision as a social worker, teacher, and health promotions facilitator. 

 Ricki identifies as a transgender nonbinary person with lived experiences of disability They are passionate about local planning issues in relation to access to health and services for marginalised groups in Victoria.