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Thorne Harbour Country provides support, counselling, rapid HIV testing, resources and information around LGBTIQ+ wellbeing, HIV, Hepatitis C and sexual health across the Loddon Mallee. Operating out of the Community Hub, Thorne Harbour Country provides a safe place for the LGBTIQ+ community to connect and access information resources and referral services.

When you volunteer with Thorne Harbour Health, you’ll make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQ+ individuals and people living with HIV. Whether you're based in Adelaide, Melbourne, or regional Victoria, there are various opportunities to get involved, meet like-minded people, and contribute your time and skills.

Bring your team to a corporate volunteering day with us in Melbourne and learn about Thorne Harbour Health's mission and history.

Our success in supporting our communities relies on the dedication and hard work of our volunteers. Our organisation was founded by volunteers and that strong connection continues today.

Last night, as part of National Volunteers Week, the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) partnered with community radio station JOY 94.9 and LGBTI telephone and webchat counselling service Switchboard Victoria to host L.O.V.E. - LGBTI Organisations Volunteer Event. Held at St Kilda Town Hall, the event recognises the vital contributions volunteers have made to the work of these three organisations in supporting LGBTI communities.While JOY and VAC volunteers regularly combine forces with the Laird Hotel at Northside Bizarre each October, this is the first time the three community organisations have partnered together to recognise the substantial contribution of volunteers.L.O.V.E. sees the three LGBTI community organisations combine forces to recognise and celebrate the remarkable contribution of volunteers on a grander scale. The event recognised a number of long-serving volunteers having served at least 5, 10, 15, 25 and even 30 years of service as a volunteer.“Volunteers are the lifeblood that keeps organisations like ours alive,” said VAC CEO Simon Ruth. “Without our volunteers, none of us could operate the services we provide to the community. It is only fitting that we celebrate and formally recognise the longstanding contribution volunteers have made.”JOY CEO Tenille Moisel added, “JOY is thrilled to work with VAC and Switchboard to recognise our volunteers for the tremendous support they provide our organisations and the broader LGBTI community.”Switchboard General Manager, Jo Ball highlighted the collaborative nature of volunteers in our community.“Considering that many Switchboard volunteers also volunteer at VAC and JOY it only makes sense to hold a joint event. As we all know, we are stronger together, and I look forward to continuing to find projects that VAC, Switchboard and JOY can collaborate on.”The event included performances from the Melbourne Rainbow Band and invited guests include City of Port Phillip Mayor Cr Bernadine Voss with Victoria Police Gay and Lesbian Liason Officers (GLLO) Gabby Tyacke and Travis Costelow to host the event.

Today Thorne Harbour Health has announced the establishment of a LGBTI Community Volunteer Hub to connect volunteers with opportunities to support LGBTI communities across Victoria.Volunteers have made up the majority of the workforce at Thorne Harbour Health for its entire 37-year history. During that time, many of the organisation’s volunteers have gone on to win multiple awards including the Premier Volunteer Champions Award, GLOBE Volunteer of the Year, and the Minister for Health Volunteer Award.The organisation currently works with over 700 trained volunteers across it programs and services. As a result, Thorne Harbour regularly receives requests for volunteer support from smaller groups and events including AIDS 2014, Better Together Conference, Australian GLTBIQ Multicultural Council, and the upcoming 2020 International Gay and Lesbian Aquatics Championships.“We are incredibly fortunate to have been supported by countless volunteers since the day we were founded in 1983. We understand the value of volunteers, and we’re so grateful to be in a position where we can help smaller organisations that don’t have that same infrastructure,” said Thorne Harbour Health CEO Simon Ruth.“We’ve been seeking funders interest in developing this resource for the LGBTI community since 2014, but it hasn’t been until receiving a generous bequest from the Quinlan Estate that we’re now able to make that dream a reality.”The LGBTI Community Volunteer Hub will aim to help LGBTI organisations across Victoria identify volunteer requirements, develop job specifications, match skills and expertise, and recruit volunteers accordingly. The hub will also provide a pathway for the growing number of corporate volunteers interested in opportunities to donate their time and skills.For over 20 years, Thorne Harbour Health has been a member of Volunteering Victoria. While there are volunteer resource centres across the state, Volunteering Victoria CEO Scott Miller supports the establishment of a targeted hub for LGBTI communities.“Connection with community is a key motivation for volunteers, and many volunteers are seeking opportunities that allow them to give back to LGBTI communities. A community-led solution like the LGBTI Volunteer Hub is a great initiative to connect volunteers with opportunities that they might otherwise struggle to find.”Charlotte Johnson has been volunteering with Thorne Harbour for the past four years and a recent recipient of the organisation’s Special Service Award.