Lived Experience School Presentations

Real Conversations - Real Connection

Real Change

Azelene Williams does not sugar-coat the realities young people face—and she does not use shock, shame or fear to reach them.

Drawing on her lived experience and professional expertise as an Accredited Social Worker and registered counsellor, Azelene speaks openly about trauma, vaping, addiction, self-harm, unhealthy relationships, sexual harm and mental health in language students understand.

Her presentations are honest, age-appropriate and trauma-informed. They are designed to educate, start important conversations and help students recognise when—and how—to seek support.

Why Students Listen

Azelene does not speak down to young people or lecture them. She speaks with them—without judgement, assumptions or authority-driven messaging. This approach allows her to build trust and rapport from the opening minute.

Since 2022, Azelene has presented at more than 183 schools across Australia and spoken to over 300,000 students, educators and community members. She has held the attention of audiences of more than 2,000 students at a time, with teachers reporting that they had never seen their students remain so quiet, focused and engaged throughout an hour-long presentation.

The results extend beyond applause.

Following Azelene’s vaping presentations, hundreds of students have voluntarily handed in their vapes. Others have approached her to disclose concerns about self-harm, pornography, sexual abuse, addiction and experiences they had been too afraid—or ashamed—to speak about.

These conversations matter. They can become the first step towards support.

Honest Education Without Fear or Shame

Some content may feel confronting to adults. However, silence does not protect young people from the realities they are already encountering.

Azelene may use real examples, including news reports about vaping devices exploding, to explain genuine risks. She does not use disturbing material to frighten students into changing their behaviour. Instead, she gives them accurate information, practical strategies and a clearer understanding of how trauma can influence coping behaviours and addiction.

Presentations should never leave students distressed or unsupported. Azelene works with schools to ensure suitable wellbeing support and referral pathways are available. She also encourages students to speak with a trusted, responsible adult if the presentation brings up difficult feelings, memories or concerns.

Educate Them Before Someone Else Targets Them

Sexual abusers, online predators and drug dealers do not wait until a young person reaches a “suitable” age. They often target vulnerability, uncertainty and a lack of knowledge.

That is why early, honest and responsible education matters.

Let’s leave your students with answers—not more questions; support—not silence; and practical ways to seek help when they need it. Start the conversation before silence becomes another young person’s story.

Book Azelene for your school presentation today.

Empowering Lived Experience School Presentations

A woman in a white shirt and jeans giving a presentation to a group of students in a gymnasium.

Aimed at middle and high school communities, Azelene’s Lived Experience School Presentations help students, teachers, and counsellors address critical mental health issues, providing relatable, actionable insights to foster a positive school environment.

Topics Covered:

  • Vaping Clearing the Air - Year 7 to 12

  • Abuse is NOT Love - Year 10 to 12

  • Coercion is NOT Consent - Year 10 to 12

  • Respectful Relationships - Year 7 to 9

  • Conquering Academic Stress - Year 7 to 12

  • Therapy Dog Incursions - Year 7 to 12

Some presentations address sensitive subjects, including trauma, domestic and family violence, sexual harm, self-harm, addiction and mental health. These topics may bring up difficult emotions or memories. Participants are encouraged to consider their wellbeing, access available support and speak with a trusted adult or qualified health professional when needed.

Any disclosure involving a child’s safety, abuse, risk of harm or other serious concern may need to be referred to the relevant school safeguarding personnel, emergency services or appropriate authorities in accordance with applicable professional, organisational and legal obligations. Presentations can be adapted to suite your school environment and students.

See important information & professional disclaimer or talk to Azelene about our schools needs.

Vaping Clearing the Air Presentation

A woman is giving a presentation to a group of school children seated on the wooden floor in an auditorium. The presentation slide shows various vape devices and the text 'Almost all vapes contain highly addictive nicotine!'

Vaping Clearing the Air


The Path to Clean Air and Healthy Lungs
A highly educational lived experience presentation to debunk myths about vaping and e-cigarettes. It covers trauma driven addictions. The lived experience presentation includes story telling.

  • How the industry targets young people

  • Vaping & e-cigarettes - Fact or Fiction?

  • Addiction to other substances.

  • Vape & e-cigarettes anatomy.

  • Vape explosions.

  • Nicotine addiction.

  • The difference between withdrawal & cravings.

  • What stage are you in?

  • How to quit vaping?

  • Lung diseases.

  • How the vaping industry exploits celebrities.

  • School policy.

  • The vaping law in Australia.

  • Additional Information and resources.

Content Notice: News footage and images of vaping-related explosions may be distressing for some students. Schools are encouraged to have appropriate wellbeing support available if needed.

Respectful Relationships

A woman gives a presentation on stage in front of an audience of children sitting in red theater seats. The slide on the large screen behind her shows photos related to teen relationships and #metoo, with text reading "The teen relationship that almost killed me!"


Building Healthy Relationships Through Mutual Respect
This presentation helps teens understand how to build positive, respectful relationships and recognise unhealthy dynamics.

Key topics include:

  • Respect and trust

  • Communication skills for conflict resolution

  • Self-awareness and self-worth

  • Mutual intimacy: Sharing and feeling close

  • Empathy vs. sympathy

  • Values, beliefs, and their impact on relationships

  • How my relationships affect my life

  • Communication: Expressing feelings and resolving misunderstandings

Transformations for Schools:

  • Increased Awareness: Students and staff gain a deeper understanding of critical mental health issues.

  • Empowerment and Prevention: Students are empowered with the knowledge to make informed decisions and avoid harmful behaviours.

  • Enhanced Support Systems: Teachers and counsellors become better equipped to support students.

  • Improved School Environment: Fostering a supportive and informed school community.


Book a call today to schedule your Lived Experience School Presentation and make a positive impact on your school community.

Lived Experience Presentations.

Azelene Williams is an accredited social worker, counsellor, author, international keynote speaker and confidence mindset resilience coach. As a lived experience presenter, I speak from the heart about challenges I’ve faced firsthand. I was born with a lack of oxygen, resulting in dyslexia. At 15, I survived a terrorist bomb blast as a civilian. When I turned 16, I entered an abusive intimate partner relationship with my first boyfriend, where I was nearly killed twice. Today, I speak to young people about healthy relationships, emphasizing that abuse is not love and coercion is not consent.

To cope with my wounds, I turned to smoking and drinking at a young age. I proudly call myself the counsellor and social worker I didn’t have as a teen. In 2016, after being diagnosed with stage one emphysema, I dedicated myself to sharing the dangers of smoking and vaping. I’ve spoken to over 130,000 students across Australia and have reached audiences in South Africa and America via Zoom. I vaped for four years before ultimately quitting both smoking and vaping.

My presentations are engaging and authentic, built to resonate with young people and inspire change. Bookings are now open for 2027 and 2028.

Vaping Clearing the Air Presentation

Abuse is NOT Love & Coercion is NOT Consent

Endorsements of Proven Performance

  • Year 10 student - All Saints College

    “The presentation was engaging and different from the monotonous vaping/drugs/sexting/law presentations we've had in the past. I really liked how she wasn't afraid to share her own past experiences so we could learn from them. She also didn't just lecture us about why we shouldn't vape; instead, she gave us the facts about vapes that are often hidden from young people. I enjoyed the presentation very much.”

  • Alicia Prescott - Family and Domestic Violence Specialist

    “Azelene was raw, engaging and incredibly inspiring. She has a rare ability to speak about difficult experiences in a way that feels safe, relatable and empowering. Our audience laughed, reflected and walked away feeling motivated to make positive changes in their own lives. If you want a speaker who brings energy, authenticity and real-world insight, thank you Azelene your keynote left its mark.”

     

  • Justine O'Malley - Social Worker - Educator and Counseller

    “Azelene's lived experience presentation brings a depth to the conversation about family and domestic violence that no statistics ever could. Her willingness to speak openly and honestly about her journey, is a powerful act of advocacy.”

  • Emma Louise - School Chaplain  

    I went along to a Vaping workshop Azelene was presenting on in my local community.  I found the presentation engaging and the content extremely informative coming away empowered to share this message with the children and youth I work with.  Azelene speaks clearly and with confidence as she shares from lived experience.  Highly recommend.

  • Year 8 student - Chisholm Catholic

    I struggle with self-harm. I don't vape, but I found links between that and self-harm in this presentation. I found reasons to quit self-harm and found ways to manage it. I love how the presenter was open about her own experience, and I am looking into getting professional support after I heard her presentation. She was that good!

  • Year 10 student - All Saints College says

    The presentation was engaging and different from the monotonous vaping / drugs / sexting / law presentations we've had in the past. I really liked how she wasn't afraid to share her own past experiences so we could learn from them. She also didn't just lecture us about why we shouldn't vape; instead, she gave us the facts about vapes that are often hidden from young people. I enjoyed the presentation very much.

  • Year 12 student - Mother Teresa Catholic College says

    Azelene Williams was one of the best presenters I've ever heard as a presenter in my school.  She was very confident and well-spoken.  Most presentations I attend are usually dull and tiring, but Azelene's presentation informed me and made me want to know more.  Her storytelling was engaging and very powerful.   

  • Bac Danze - Head of Year 9 Prindiville Catholic College

    “Azelene presented Vaping Clearing The Air to our Year 9 cohort earlier this year. This presentation was highly relevant to students and they were engaged by her personal stories and the real-life consequences that were shared – it certainly left students with something to think about. Thank you, Azelene!”

  • Fiona de Courcier - Head of Year 11 Iona Presentation College

    "Azelene captivated everyone with her lived experience keynote, sharing her personal story in a way that was both moving and enlightening. She engaged with the students brilliantly, staying afterwards to answer questions and share her valuable resources. Her passion and dedication made a lasting impact on everyone in the room. Azelene was well organised with great communication about the planning and preparation leading up to the day, she was flexible with our venue, and we thank her for her knowledge and resources on dealing domestic and family violence and trauma driven addictions."

  • John Boyne - LinkedIn

    “I recently listened to your keynote and I have also spent some time with your book, and what lingered for me was the way you allow the work to unfold without urgency how the emotional weight seems to accumulate quietly rather than announce itself.  There’s a steadiness to the voice that feels deeply considered, and I found myself returning to certain passages simply to sit with them a little longer.  I’m always grateful when a book invites that kind of attention rather than demand it. I wanted to send a brief note of my appreciation,”

  • Julie McCulloch - Social Worker, Service Delivery Manager – Mental Health and Youth at Rise

    Azelene is a deeply values-driven professional who consistently goes above and beyond to support individuals from all walks of life. Azelene is extremely passionate about ensuring the next generation of Social Workers are well equipped to uphold and deliver core social work values, and is committed to fostering learning, growth, and high-quality practice.  Her insight into trauma, combined with her lived and professional experience, brings a rare depth to her practice through her keynote presentations, workshops and clinical supervision. This enables her to engage with sensitivity, authenticity, and a strong understanding of the complexities faced by those she supports.

  • Eleanor Ingram, Senior Advisor Diversity and Equity at Curtin University

    “Azelene is a powerful and authentic speaker who connects with her audience from the moment she steps onto the stage. She shares her story with honesty, warmth and humour while delivering practical messages that stay with you long after the event. Her presentation was moving, inspiring and genuinely unforgettable. I would highly recommend Azelene to any organisation looking for a speaker who can create meaningful and lasting impact.”

School Presentations and Workshops

Young people need honest conversations—not sugar-coated messages.

My trauma-informed school presentations explore mental health, domestic and family violence, coercion and consent, vaping, addiction, self-worth, resilience and help-seeking.

I create age-appropriate conversations that help students recognise risk, challenge harmful beliefs and understand when and how to ask for support.