AIDS ACTION COUNCIL OF THE ACT
NEWSLETTER The greatest investment you can ever make is in your health. It is the basis of all your accomplishments, both at the family and social level. Everyone working with the AIDS Action Council understands and appreciates this, hence our strategic commitment to advance the provision of healthcare to our community. In the past few months, we have been focussing on enhancing our services through the broadening of our counselling services (with the awesome assistance of Rodney Cole and Kate Diggle) and the surveying of our community to ascertain the current and future needs of those in our community living with HIV and AIDS. We have also been delivering more education into the community and will soon commence a corporate membership drive. Before the end of this financial year, we will be holding a very important Search Conference which will involve participation of key stakeholders from across the community with the outputs providing the focus for the delivery of services to people impacted by HIV in our community. Although 2013 was overall a very positive year for the Council, we must continue to ensure that our services are well structured in order to meet the highest standards of operational efficiency. All of us at the Council continue to work extremely hard in order to close the gap between where we are today, and what we know we can achieve with hard work and dedication. I’d like to remind members that memberships are due for renewal at 30 June 2014 and I encourage you to invite your friends and colleagues who are not currently members, to join www.aidsaction.org.au/ become-a-member/ Jan Weir Executive Director
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MARCH 2014
NOTICE: ACT HEALTH IS NOW FUNDING HEPATITIS B VACCINATIONS FOR IV DRUG USERS This is in addition to the ACT Governement funded hepatitis B vaccination program for people living with or in a sexual relationship with a hepatitis B positive person. If you qualify talk to your Doctor about accessing this vaccination.
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY Six ladies representing the Positive Women’s Network dressed up in their finest to attend the UN Women’s Luncheon to celebrate International Women’s Day. The lunch was held at the National Convention Centre and guest speakers included Natasha Stott Despoja the Ambassador for Women and Girls and Adi Tafuna’I - the Executive Director of Women in Business Development Samoa. Speakers discussed how we need to help provide women and girls with education and meaningful work to end the cycle of poverty and create a brighter future for all. The AIDS Action Council is also very proud of Lexxie Jury, our long-serving SWOP Education Officer, for her nomination for the ACT Woman of the Year Award. While not the recipient of the award, it is wonderful to see Lexxie recognised for her years of work with women including Sex Workers and Reclaim the Night. Philippa Moss Manager Support and Education
Canberra Memorial Sunday 18th May, 2014 5:45pm for 6:00pm start
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JOIN US FOR YOGA! Starting Wednesday the 19th March at 5.30pm (5.45pm Start). Kim-Maree Janszen is a qualified yoga instructor who will be providing an opportunity to de-stress, unwind and relax in the city with a guided session of restorative Yoga. This four week course will suit everyone, from beginners to the more advanced participants. This opportunity is for volunteers of the Council and members of communities we work with. Come along and have a go - whether you have never tried Yoga or if you are experienced and would enjoy the added benefits of an extra class. Remember to wear comfortable clothes and bring along your yoga mat if you have one, or a towel to practice on (limited yoga mats will be available for loan). Gold Coin donations will be appreciated, with funds going to the Trevor Daley Fund – supporting people living with HIV in the ACT. Places are limited so to reserve your place please contact Marcus on 02 6257 2855 or email marcus.bogie@aidsaction.org.au Where Westlund House Home of the AIDS Action Council of the ACT 16 Gordon St ACTON
VOLUNTEERS 2014 It’s been a wonderful start to 2014. I’m constantly reminded how lucky the AIDS Action Council is to have so many amazing volunteers willing to lend a hand. Thank you again to all the volunteers who helped the Council throughout 2013. The volunteers here at the Council are always friendly, warm and extremely helpful, assisting the Council to develop a sense of community and aiding our fight to reduce the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. In 2014 Council volunteers have worked on the garden, reception, building maintenance and administration, including Grant applications. Volunteers (including four new recruits) will shortly be doing the rounds for our yearly run of sexual health testing both here at the Council and at the Ranch in Fyshwick. Volunteers are invited to join the event team for the annual Candlelight memorial. Last year’s Memorial service was a beautiful and touching gathering of the HIV and AIDS affected community, friends, families and colleagues. If you are interested in assisting the Council with this year’s event on Sunday 18th May, please contact me on the details below. It has been a pleasure, and extremely humbling to work with our wonderful volunteers - I’m looking forward to the year ahead! For information on volunteering please contact Volunteer Coordinator Ben Martin by email contact@ aidsaction.org.au or phone (02) 6257 2855.
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POSITIVE SERVICES: GOLD AND THE INCAS EXHIBITION Gold and the Incas exhibition lived up to its advertising, showcasing the cultural diversity of Peru. I was lucky enough to participate in a special access guided tour, organised by the gallery for clients of the Council. We explored the more than 200 objects with curator Adrianne, who assisted in bringing the exhibition together, provided an insider’s view of the exhibition and chatted about individual pieces that caught our eye. Adrianne was knowledgeable and gave kindly of her time to our small group, explaining the intricate works in detail and the periods in Peru’s rich history that they came from. Even though there was a focus on Gold, there were many other items to view, from elaborate embroidered and woven clothes (more valuable to the Incas than Gold), to the many pieces of clay work and ornate feather work. Once again we must thank the gallery for allowing us to participate in the exhibition. Marcus Bogie Senior Client Services Coordinator
Getting a sexual health check-up from STRIP is quick, easy and FREE! STRIP is a free & confidential sexual health screening service. Regular sexual health check-ups are an important part of staying in control of your health.
Thursday evenings
Saturday mornings
(men only)
(for everyone)
Upstairs @ The Ranch Molonglo Mall, Fyshwick 6:00 - 8:00 pm 13 March - 10 April
Westlund House 16 Gordon St, Acton 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 15 March - 12 April
IP R T S Sexual
health check-ups
For more information call 02 6257 2855 or visit www.aidsaction.org.au/strip
ACT
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COURAGEOUS VOICES: SEEDS OF HOPE & TRANSFORMATION The National LGBTI Health Alliance invites you to participate in the MindOUT! LGBTI Mental Health Conference. The conference, the first of its kind in Australia, will examine the individual and social determinants that impact on the mental health outcomes of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. Research and programs that have been undertaken in Australia to address mental health and suicide in LGBTI communities will also be showcased. Building on the MindOUT! Symposium in October 2012 and the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Stream at the Health in Difference Conference in April 2013, the conference marks the conclusion of this phase of the MindOUT! LGBTI Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Project. With the theme Courageous Voices: Seeds of Hope and Transformation, this conference focuses on the enablers as well as the barriers that individuals encounter in coming to the point of being able to acknowledge and affirm their sexuality and/or gender identity. The theme will be explored in terms of the social, psychological and cultural impacts, both positive and negative, and the implications for clinical practice and the development of programs to improve the mental health and well-being of LGBTI people. The conference is being held on the 45th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. On those hot summer nights in New York, courageous voices spoke out against discrimination and persecution. Those riots are viewed as the birth of what came to be known as the Gay Liberation movement. Fortyfive years on from that momentous event, much has been achieved in advancing the human rights and the health and well-being of LGBTI people. However the over representation of LGBTI people in mental illness and suicide statistics highlights that there is more to be done to improve our mental health status. Join us as we acknowledge all that has gone before and as we work in collaboration to realise the vision of the National Mental Health Commission, that all Australians achieve the best possible mental health and wellbeing.
“Not long ago a public language did not exist to talk about gay and lesbian lives. This is also true for bisexual, trans and intersex people whose public visibility and rights have also slowly evolved. Finding their own story and creating a unique personal script which goes against many of the dominant scripts in our society is an important part of what is called the “coming out process” but which is also an important process of “coming in” to a sense of their own person” www.mindoutconference.net
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COUNSELLING SERVICES Who can access counselling? Counselling is provided for members of the community. Regardless of religious belief, age, gender, sexual orientation, lifestyle choice, cultural background or economic circumstances, all members of the community are welcome. Through counselling we provide assessments, support and advocacy for a range of issues such as; coming to terms with sexuality, emotional and physical health, relationships, employment, education and accommodation. The service is intended to be short term solution focused counselling, in general up to 9 sessions. However we will provide ongoing services to people impacted by HIV. Counselling is available between 10am and 4pm Monday to Thursday and evening clinics are available on Wednesday and Thursday evenings. Meet the counsellors... Pauline Burke Pauline is an experienced counsellor with range of experience in sexual health. With qualifications in counselling and addictions, Pauline is able to provide a range of services that will assist and encourage individuals, couples, significant others and their families to achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their loved ones. Pauline has a strong commitment to ‘safer communities’ and works ‘person centred’, integrating harm reduction and minimisation strategies, along with solution focussed approaches to assist in building on the strengths of people and their communities. Pauline was born in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, England, a “Geordie Lass”, who immigrated to New Zealand over 30 years ago. Pauline previously worked for the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, Relationships Aotearoa and Kaupapa Maori Addiction Services. Pauline moved to Australia to be with her family and is looking forward to continuing to develop close community networks, to assist in delivering a quality service that best meets the needs of people requiring the supports of AIDS Action Council Services. Kate Diggle Kate is a compassionate and intuitive counsellor. She is a qualified gestalt therapist and embraces the philosophy of healing through genuine connection in the relationship between client and therapist. Gestalt therapy is an experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes personal responsibility, and focuses on the individual’s experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship, the environmental and social contexts of a person’s life and the self-regulating adjustments people make as a result of their overall situation. Rodney Cole Rod Cole is a new resident to Canberra, having lived in Kings Cross for the last 10 years. As a gestalt therapist, Rod has facilitated men’s coming out groups for the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Counselling Service in addition to being part of the Sydney ACON’s after hours counselling program where he worked with clients on issues such as aging, gender reassignment/transition, recent HIV transmission, long term depression, ICE addiction and coming out. Rod’s approach to working with individuals or couples is based on building awareness, exploring choices and options, attending to our vulnerabilities and shadow sides, and using humour and creativity wisely in sessions. Make an appointment If you would like to make an appointment with our qualified counsellors please contact the Council on 02 6257 2855.
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AIDS ACTION COUNCIL OF THE ACT aidsaction.org.au GPO Box 229 Canberra ACT 2601 Westlund House 16 Gordon Street Acton ACT 2601 02 6257 2855