Delys Sargeant AM

Delys Sergeant has been an outstanding educator, medical scientist, health and human rights advocate, and is a respected leader and innovator in sexual health and human relationships.

In the 1970s, Delys was a founding director of the Social Biology Resources Centre at the University of Melbourne. She developed ground-breaking courses in social biology and lectured for over 20 years.

Delys has forged generational change in the way doctors, teachers and health professionals understand, practice and educate about sexual and reproductive health, as well as sexuality and relationships.

Delys was the first woman to be appointed to the Royal Society of Victoria Council, serving from 1978 to 1981. She has served on numerous state, national and international committees and boards regarding issues such as human relationships, ageing, HIV/AIDS, child sexual abuse and infertility.

In recent years, Delys has championed women's health and wellbeing, in particular for older persons. She has been a member of the Council on the Ageing (Victoria) Board for 15 years (including four as chair) and is now a life member. In 1999, she chaired the UN International Year of Older People Coalition.

In 1983, Delys was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia, AM, for service to community health, and in 2001, was awarded the Centenary Medal for service to the community through aged care.