By Emilie Ng
MORE Australian schools will hear the truth about sexuality as Real Talk Australia’s team expands their audience and staff in 2015.
The Brisbane-based ministry has primarily worked with Catholic schools, but last year managing director Paul Ninnes was hopeful their message would be taken into state schools.
Now directors of a Toowoomba-based Christian ministry retiring from presenting sexuality talks in state schools said they would be “passing on the baton” to the Real Talk Australia team this year.
Faye and Jim Lyons from Straight Talk Australia, which started in 1997, ran their final program at a state school in Tannum Sands, just south of Gladstone, at the end of last year.
A supporter shared with them The Catholic Leader’s 2014 Real Talk Dinner story, prompting a meeting between the two groups.
“I really felt it was God’s perfect timing,” Mrs Lyons said.
After meeting with Mr Ninnes and witnessing the Real Talk program, Mrs Lyons said they would endorse Real Talk Australia to all the schools they visited over the last 16 years.
Mr Ninnes said connecting with Straight Talk Australia had confirmed his desire to spread the Catholic message of sexuality to more than just Catholics schools.
The ministry also welcomed mum of four Kristen Roe and former NET Ministries team member Naomi Schick to the team in late January.
Mr Ninnes said the ministry would also engage with six to eight new presenters, including a possible international speaker.
