Our Objects

The Victorian AIDS Council was established as a community controlled health organisation, initiated by, based in, governed by and serving the gay community. It was established by mandate and resolution at a meeting on 12 July 1983 and was constituted as the gay community's sole representative in response to the epidemics of HIV infection and AIDS. The Gay Men’s Health Centre was established at a meeting on 29 May 1986, following an initiative of the Victorian AIDS Council as part of its fulfilment of its objectives.

Objects

The objects for which VAC/GMHC is established are:

1.To promote the prevention or control of HIV as its main activity, including by:

(a) Designing and delivering programs and health services for all persons living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV, including affected communities such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and other sexuality, sex and gender diverse people (collectively, LGBTIQ+), people who inject drugs, sex workers and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders;

(b) Providing information, education and training to health professionals, service providers, businesses, the LGBTIQ+ community, the general public and persons living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV;

(c) Undertaking, participating in, or commissioning research; and

(d) Undertaking advocacy work on behalf of key affected populations in all matters relating to the prevention and transmission of HIV and related health matters.

2. To collaborate with other organisations and the public to support, develop and deliver innovative programs and initiatives to promote community awareness of HIV/AIDS and to support the health and wellbeing of persons living with, affected by, or at risk of HIV in a manner consistent with the principles and practices of self-empowerment and community development;

3. To promote the health and wellbeing of people living with HIV and to design and deliver programs in a manner that encourages and welcomes active participation of such persons in the work of the organisation;

4. To promote the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ persons and to design and deliver programs in a manner that encourages and welcomes active participation of such persons in the work of the organisation;

5. To promote, defend, preserve and extend the rights and liberties of the LGBTIQ+ community and persons living with, or affected by HIV in the context of social and political issues impacting on the health and well-being of community members; and

6. To do such other things as are incidental or conducive to the attainment of these objects.