News

15 Aug 2022

Suicide Prevention and Response Expert Advisory Committee

The Victorian Department of Health are seeking Lived Experience Representatives for the establishment of a Suicide Prevention and Response Expert Advisory Committee until 18 August 2022.

11 Aug 2022

Global Health & Community Responses to HIV from AIDS 2022 - Well Well Well

Cal brings us the latest from the International AIDS Conference 2022.In this episode, he speaks with people involved with PLHIV communities across the world, as well as evolving public health responses.Guests:John Oliver Corciega from LoveYourself Inc. in the PhillipinesRobbie Lawlor from the Poz Vibe Podcast in Ireland Mother Elle Barbara, Host of AIDS 2022 Vogue Ball & Intervention/Community Worker  Dr Nomathemba Chandiwana from the University of Ezintsha

09 Aug 2022

Building leadership and resilience for people living with HIV

As SAMESH’s Poz Peer Navigator, Craig Shrubsole is no stranger to advocating for people living with HIV (PLHIV).“We’ve had 40 years of this journey, and it’s clearly not over. Our community need people to advocate for each other so that future generations have the best opportunity to be their best selves living with HIV.”It’s why Craig attended the Positive Leadership Development Institute (PLDI) Workshop, which offers people living with HIV the opportunity to develop skills for leadership and resilience.

04 Aug 2022

Monkeypox Updates from the International AIDS Conference 2022 - Well Well Well

Jack and Cal discuss what the International AIDS Conference is, what previous conferences have focused on, and what's new this year.Cal was at AIDS 2022 in Montreal, and he talks about the significant focus that Monkeypox had at the event.We also hear from AFAO's Acting CEO Heath Paynter and Thorne Harbour Health's CEO Simon Ruth on Australia's response to Monkeypox.Since this episode was recorded, 450,000 doses of the third-generation Jynneos (AKA Imvamune or Imvanex) Monkeypox Vaccine have been procured by the Federal Government.Federal Health Minister Mark Butler's media release says the first delivery of roughly 22,000 doses will arrive in the country later this week.The Victorian Department of Health provides up-to-date health warning information on Monkeypox on their website.

03 Aug 2022

Will Australia get the Monkeypox Vaccine?

During the AIDS2022 conference in Montreal this week, discussion has mounted about the outbreak of the Monkeypox (MPX) virus and the global response. A vaccine exists, but large scale production is limited. With a low number of cases to date and no vaccines - where does Australia fit into this?

28 Jul 2022

The queer First Nations group connecting across state borders

After the last few years of social distancing and disconnection, Ricki Spencer was keen to create a space for queer First Nations people to come together safely.“A lot of it came from my own want to connect to country, and want to connect with other people who are queer and blak throughout Australia,” she said.Ricki is a trans and disability community advocate, and co-facilitator of Thorne Harbour Health’s new Yarning Blak & Queer online group. She worked with First Nations Health Lead Peter Waples-Crowe on the project.“It's been about a year and a half in the making because we wanted to wait for the right opportunity. For some people, it's not safe to come out,” said Ricki.

17 Jun 2022

PLC Newsletter - Winter 2022

The colder weather may be settling in, but things at the PLC are warming up. The latest issue of the newsletter features stories from people living with HIV over the decades as well as information on services, news, and more.

17 Jun 2022

35 years of Volunteering for our Communities

Volunteers have been (and continue to be) the lifeblood of the organisations supporting our LGBTIQ+ communities and people living with HIV. At our recent LGBTIQ Organisations Volunteer Event (L.O.V.E.), we celebrated this legacy – including a remarkable 35-year milestone for longstanding volunteer Colin Krycer. We asked Colin about serving his dedicated service of nearly four decades.

27 May 2022

Clearing Space for Healthier Relationships

Sometimes our behaviour gets in the way of the relationships we want to be having. Relationships take work, and it’s not always easy. No matter who we love, abuse is never okay.

17 May 2022

Volunteering in the face of adversity

Abdurahman Katamish came to Melbourne from Cairo to study. As an international student, he sought a society that was more accepting of diversity and celebrated our LGBTIQ communities. Soon after his arrival, the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In the face of an unprecedented challenge, he turned to volunteering to take an active role in the community and make a lasting impact.

09 May 2022

A New Face Behind Therapeutic Services

We recently welcomed Alyssha Fooks to Thorne Harbour Health as the Manager of Therapeutic Services and Capacity Building. With a portfolio that includes family violence, counselling, alcohol and other drug use, and building the capacity of mainstream services – Alyssha took a moment to talk about her work and coming to Thorne Harbour.