Commuters encouraged to ‘Get the Facts’ on HIV
Download
PDF 87.9 KB
17 Nov 2010
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.
In other news
16 Jul 2025
Silver Rainbow Training Expands to Better Support LGBTIQ+ Elders
Since Thorne Harbour Health began delivering Silver Rainbow Training (SRT) sessions in late April 2025, we’ve keenly worked to support Aged Care professionals in understanding the unique challenges faced by LGBTIQ+ elders.Participants have left our sessions with their eyes open to issues and situations that hadn’t previously occurred to them and enjoy having their perspectives challenged so they are more sensitive to the needs of LGBTIQ+ elders. Feedback following Silver Rainbow Training suggests that staff feel more able to deliver holistic care to their clients.In the past two months, we’ve conducted one online and six face-to-face SRT sessions, some of which included HIV 101 education components delivered by our HIV peer navigator. A Community of Practice session was also held in May, providing an opportunity for professional networking and sharing of experiences.SRT has reached 120 staff members across six organisations, including an Emergency Department, an Aged Care facility, a health network organisation, and three mental health organisations. The training has been delivered to five metro and one regional organisation, with our primary focus on Health Justice, aiming to create a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.
26 Jun 2025
5 Ways for Queer People to Recognise NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC Week is Australia’s biggest celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Unlike other important First Nations days of awareness—such as Sorry Day and Reconciliation Week—that focus on how other Australians can address colonisation, NAIDOC is specifically about celebrating First Nations culture.