About The Same Same 25 The Same Same 25 is an annual celebration of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians. They are publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. For the past two years, the announcement of the 25 Most Influential Gay and Lesbian Australians has attracted widespread national media attention and focused on the achievements and influence of a varied and inspirational group of people. View the Same Same 25 for 2008 here. View the Same Same 25 for 2007 here. About Same Same
The Judges - The Same Same 25 judges are drawn from a wide cross-section of the community, representing a broad field of influence and experience in their chosen professions. Andrew Creagh (Editor, DNA Magazine), Cec Busby (Editor, LOTL Magazine), Rachel Cook (Editor, Cherrie Magazine), Christian Taylor (Editor, SameSame.com.au), David Wilkins (ACON), Kevin Golding (Business Analyst), Peter Walton (Publisher, Evolution), Libby Clark (Co-founder, Sound Alliance), Tim Duggan (Co-founder, SameSame.com.au)
The Process - The Same Same 25 is publicly nominated, and chosen by a panel of community leaders. Anyone in Australia can nominate someone for the Same Same 25.

Paul Dillon

Drug and alcohol expert

Paul has been working in the area of drug education for the past 25 years. He trained as a primary school teacher in Western Australia and has since taught across all age groups, from pre-primary to high school students.

In February this year Paul published ‘Teenagers, Alcohol And Drugs’ through Allen and Unwin, a book which seeks to answer the real and most commonly asked questions about alcohol and drugs, and shows how parents can start having important conversations about these topics with their kids in a way that is respectful and reasonable, non-threatening and non-judgmental.

In the early 1990s Dillon moved into the alcohol and other drug field and is best known for his media work in this area. Appearing on a wide range of television programs including ‘Sunrise’, ‘Today’ and ‘A Current Affair’, he is regularly asked to discuss topical issues, particularly in relation to young people and drugs.

For over 16 years he worked at the National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, Sydney where his key role was to disseminate research findings to policy makers, drug and alcohol workers and the general public. Through his own business, Drug and Alcohol Research and Training Australia (DARTA) he has been contracted by many agencies and organisations across the country to give regular updates on current drug trends within the community. He has also worked with many school communities to ensure that they have access to good quality information and best practice drug education.

Dillon is one of the few speakers in this area who is also privileged enough to speak to parents and the wider community and his positive message about our young people continues to ensure that he is in great demand across Australia.