VAC Congratulates Emeritus Professor Anne Mitchell

The Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) congratulates Emeritus Professor Anne Mitchell as one of
the recipients on The Queen’s Birthday 2014 Honours List for The Order of Australia for her distinguished
service to community health, particularly through sexual health research policy development and program
delivery.
As Professor Emeritus for the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (ARCSHS) at La
Trobe University, Mitchell was a founding staff member in the early 1990s. Today ARCSHS works with
various community-based organisations, government, professionals in relevant sectors and the broader
community to further positive change in policy, practice and the community’s quality of life through
research in sexuality, health and the social dimensions to human relationships.
Mitchell was further recognised for her involvement in establishing the Victorian Ministerial Advisory
Committee on Gay and Lesbian Health as well as being the Inaugural Director for Gay and Lesbian Health
Victoria (Department of Human Services) from 2003 until 2012.
Having served on several research teams, review panels and advisory committees, Mitchell was also a
member of the HIV Taskforce from 2009-2010.
VAC CEO, Simon Ruth, commended Mitchell on her achievement saying, “Anne has played a hugely
significant role in advancing LGBTI healthcare in Victoria. She is one of our community’s living legends and
is a truly deserving recipient of this honour.”
Mitchell received the honour of Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia as approved by
the Governor-General, His Excellency General the Honourable Sir Peter Cosgrove AK MC (Retd), Chancellor
of the Order of Australia.