Media Releases

With World AIDS Day over for another year, staff and the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC) Board would like to extend their sincerest thanks to all those who participated in the 2010 campaign.
Sian Syddall, Fundraising & Communications Coordinator for VAC/GMHC said: “We were thrilled that World AIDS Day was such a success this year. We observed an increase in funds raised on the day, and thousands of people joined us to demonstrate their support for people affected by HIV and in commemoration of the lives lost since the epidemic began, by wearing the red ribbons we handed out.”
“In particular, we would like to thank our fantastic volunteers, everyone who donated so generously, and our corporate/community supporters - ViiV Healthcare, Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, JOY 94.9, Yarra Trams, Southern Star, Federation Square, Love Machine, L’Oréal, The Arts Centre, and Frat House.”
VAC/GMHC representatives staffed locations across the CBD and metro train stations on December 1, to distribute red ribbons and HIV fact cards, thanks to corporate sponsor, ViiV Healthcare. Over 25,000 ribbons were handed out, and thousands of dollars in funds were raised.
Meanwhile, JOY 94.9 assisted throughout November and on World AIDS Day itself by airing a series of interviews, promo’s and pre-recorded stories, to help generate awareness amongst listeners; Yarra Trams showed their support by displaying posters on nearly all metropolitan tram routes between 21 November and 4 December’; and Southern Star provided in-kind advertising.
VAC/GMHC’s long-term supporter Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS collected at a number of theatres throughout AIDS Awareness Week and beyond; Federation Square broadcast a World AIDS Day advert on their big screens; The Arts Centre spier was lit up in red from 24 November – 1 December; and Love Machine, L’Oréal and Frat House all undertook fundraising in support of VAC/GMHC.
Funds raised by VAC/GMHC for World AIDS Day will be put to excellent use, helping to provide practical and emotional support for Victorians living with HIV, many of whom possess a range of complex health and social needs. For more information about VAC/GMHC’s work please visit www.vicaids.asn.au.

The Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC) is urging all Victorians to show they care on World AIDS Day this Wednesday 1 December by getting the facts about HIV and wearing a red ribbon to show their support for people living with HIV.
1 December is recognised internationally as World AIDS Day to raise awareness in the community about HIV and AIDS issues, including the need for support and understanding for people living with HIV (PLHIV), and the need for the development and implementation of education and prevention resources and activities.
The theme for 2010 in Victoria is “World AIDS Day – Get the Facts”. “This theme acknowledges that more than 25 years into the HIV epidemic in Australia, HIV remains a communicable disease but also a preventable disease”, Mike Kennedy, the Executive Director at the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre, said today.
“World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to reinforce the safe sex messages that remain our best weapon against HIV infection”, Mr Kennedy said. Safe sex is using condoms and water-based lubricants as well as a range of other things you can do during sex to help reduce the risk of catching or passing on HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) or STIs (sexually transmitted infections). The most common way HIV and STIs are passed on is through vaginal or anal sex without a condom. However, while condoms (used correctly with water-based lubricants) provide excellent protection against HIV, they protect only partially against other STIs, so regular STI testing is an important part of a personal sexual health plan. HIV and other infections such as hepatitis can be passed on through sharing injecting equipment. It is extremely risky to share needles, syringes and other injecting equipment. The safest way to avoid infections is to not inject drugs. People who inject drugs should always use sterile needles, syringes and equipment. Mike Kennedy urged anyone who thinks they are at risk, or might have been exposed to HIV, to get tested for HIV and STIs at their local doctor or sexual health centre, and know their status.
“HIV and STIs are preventable conditions. Sexual and injecting drug use behaviour
can change as a result of targeted and effective prevention programs, and these
changes can contain HIV infections," Mr Kennedy said.”
“This World AIDS Day we are asking you to get the facts so that you can protect
yourself and your partners and help us fight the stigma and discrimination that are
still part of the lives of many people living with HIV”, Mr Kennedy said.
“The current levels of stigma and discrimination faced by PLHIV are unacceptable
and World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for all of us to commit to improving the
human rights of PLHIV in Victoria”, he said.
World AIDS Day gives the entire community an opportunity to show that they care.
HIV/AIDS is everybody's problem and together, we can make a difference.

With AIDS Awareness Week taking place from 24 – 30 November, concluding with World AIDS Day on 1 December, Yarra Trams is helping to put HIV back on the public agenda. As part of a community partnership with the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC), Yarra Trams will display World AIDS Day posters on trams, with the aim of increasing commuter awareness of HIV. VAC/GMHC Executive Director Mike Kennedy said: “The HIV epidemic no longer appears to be perceived as relevant to many Victorians. However, HIV still exists here in Australia, and there is currently no vaccine or cure. In the past year, two Victorians were newly diagnosed HIV positive every three days. This rate of new diagnoses, combined with the welcome fall in the death rate since the widespread uptake of HIV treatments, means there are now more people living with HIV in Victoria than ever before.” “This partnership is a fantastic opportunity for us to convey important information regarding HIV to the mainstream community and we are extremely grateful for the support of Yarra Trams”, he said. World AIDS Day is a global campaign, established by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to increase support for the millions of men, women and children living with HIV across the world; tackle issues such as stigma and discrimination, and commemorate the many lives lost since the epidemic began. It was established in 1988 and is now celebrated by over 190 countries, making it one of the world’s most successful commemorative events. Yarra Trams Marketing Manager Matt McDonell said: “We are pleased to be able to assist in raising awareness of this important community health issue as part of our program of supporting Melbourne organisations and events.” VAC/GMHC’s World AIDS Day campaign is also supported by Broadcasting Partner, JOY 94.9, who will be presenting a series of interviews and pre-­‐recorded stories in the lead up to 1 December, and pharmaceutical company ViiV Healthcare, who have generously acted as Associate Sponsor. To ‘Get the facts’ regarding HIV, and learn more about World AIDS Day please visit www.vicaids.asn.au.

On 1 December the Positive Living Centre (PLC), part of the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC), will host the annual World AIDS Day memorial event, to commemorate the many lives lost as a result of the HIV epidemic.

Alex Nikolovski, PLC Coordinator, said: “This year’s World AIDS Day event promises to be just as successful as in previous years. The evening will include the World AIDS Day Remembrance Ceremony -­‐ a candlelit service to remember all those we have loved and lost throughout the HIV/AIDS epidemic. There will also be a collection of Memorial Quilts on display at the PLC throughout AIDS Awareness Week, the PLWHA ‘Legends Exhibition’ as well as various other presentations, and an opportunity to view an exhibition of Art produced by a number of PLC members.”

Alex continued: “This event is open to all, admission is free and bookings are not required. Refreshments will be available on the night. So come along this World AIDS Day, and join us as we remember and celebrate.”

The special guest speaker this year will be Anne Mitchell, Director of Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria, with entertainment provided by Jon Jackson and the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus, and Luke Gallagher, acting as Master of Ceremonies, will be hosting proceedings.

The Memorial event is a collaborative effort undertaken by VAC/GMHC, People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria, the AIDS Memorial Quilt Project, the Catholic AIDS Ministry, Straight Arrows and Positive Women.

The event will be held on Wednesday 1 December, commencing at 6.30pm, at the PLC, 51 Commercial Road, Prahran. Anyone requiring further details can contact Alex Nikolovski on (03) 9863 0444. For more information about VAC/GMHC’s World AIDS Day activities please visit www.vicaids.asn.au/world-­‐aids-­‐day.

They say support begins at home, and no cause could be more relevant to the GLBT community than the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC), established by the gay community in the early days of the HIV epidemic.
VAC/GMHC is urgently calling on readers to step forward and offer their assistance in the lead up to and on 1 December, World AIDS Day, to demonstrate support for people living with HIV and to raise awareness right here in Victoria.
Sian Syddall, Fundraising and Communications Coordinator said: “We are so grateful for the fantastic support provided to VAC/GMHC by the GLBT community. Their dedication makes a significant difference to our work, supporting people living with HIV and providing education to those most at risk of HIV.”
“In the run up to World AIDS Day we need your help again, through participation in various fundraising, volunteering and awareness building activities, to ensure this year’s campaign is a huge success.”
Sadly, every three days two Victorians are newly diagnosed HIV positive, and there are now more people living with HIV in this state than ever before, meaning an even greater demand for VAC/GMHC’s services. Stigma and discrimination surrounding HIV still exist, and many people living with the virus can present with a range of complex physical and emotional needs.
To find out more about taking action to support VAC/GMHC this World AIDS Day, please contact Sian Syddall on (03) 9865 6744 or email: fundraising@vicaids.asn.au.

With so much information available on the ‘world wide web’, it’s easy to feel confused or bombarded when you are looking for the facts on HIV. You may have heard myths about transmission, be HIV positive yourself, or perhaps you are negative and wish to protect yourself from infection.
Whatever your reasons for needing information, you can breathe a sigh of relief, as the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre (VAC/GMHC) has just launched its brand new website. Full of factual information regarding HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), the site is an easy to use resource not only for Victorians, but also for the wider Australian and international audience.
VAC/GMHC is leading our community in the fight against HIV and STIs. The organisation works to confront the continuing challenges of the HIV epidemic and, increasingly, the overall health and wellbeing of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) community. The core work of VAC/GMHC is to strengthen the independence, dignity, health and wellbeing of HIV positive people and the GLBT community; reduce the transmission of HIV and STIs; and enhance health outcomes for people living with HIV.
Mike Kennedy, VAC/GMHC Executive Director said: “The launch of our new website is a huge achievement, as it is reflective of the evolving nature of our organisation. The site is now contemporary, inviting, easy to navigate, and provides a wealth of important information for people living with HIV, those at risk of HIV or STIs, and the wider GLBT community. The results from our user testing were overwhelmingly positive, so we are hoping the general public will be equally impressed.”
Having taken nearly a year to develop, VAC/GMHC is extremely proud of its online achievement, and urges members of the community to visit www.vicaids.asn.au, where you can also donate online to assist the organisation’s work, and find out about volunteering opportunities.