th e future “I love it when our tribes come together - respecting our differences and celebrating our diversity. We’ve made amazing strides forward. What we can accomplish when we’re united is a force to be reckoned with.” KAM

THORNEHARBOUR HEALTH

ANNUAL REPORT 2017 - 18 th e future “When I came out, my family was a source of acceptance and support. I was lucky. One day perhaps every young person will feel safe and supported at home – to be open and honest about who they are.” DANTE Last year’s annual report focused on LGBTI+ human rights abuses all over the world. The fantastic community volunteers who were pictured in that report highlighted the very real, life or death issues faced by our communities globally. The report struck a chord. The overwhelmingly positive feedback we recieved for the work culminated in the th e report winning the award for Excellence in Communications in the not-for-profit sector at the 2018 Australasian Reporting Awards. This year, where possible, we have invited the future fabulous cast of volunteers back to give us their reflections on the future. It seemed like a good fit for the organisation as we look to the future ourselves as Thorne Harbour Health.

l THORNE HARBOUR FOR THE FUTURE 3

l PRESIDENT AND CEO REPORT 5

l EVOLVING ACTIVISM 7

l20 STORIES FROM VAC 11

lENDURING LEGACY 19

lENGAGING COMMUNITIES 21

AWARDS 23

l35 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING 25

lFINANCIAL REPORT 26

l THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH IS THE TRADING NAME OF THE VICTORIAN AIDS COUNCIL INC. AND THE GAY MEN’S HEALTH CENTRE INC.

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l th e future “I look forward to the day every LGBTIQ person is able to breathe and live without persecution, to love and be loved without judgement, to walk this world without shame.” ANA THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH FOR THE FUTURE

ALISON THORNE KEITH HARBOUR

Following our discrete brand reboot in the creation of the People Living With Hospital right up until the week he died are recognising that the care, health and in 2014, the VAC and GMHC Boards AIDS program as part of VAC in 1988, with other members of ACT-UP to discuss wellbeing of the sex, sexuality and gender commissioned a brand consultation in writing in that year’s annual report, “The strategy related to treatment access. diverse communities will need bravery, 2017. The consultation was designed to establishment of People Living With AIDS Alison participated in demonstrations commitment, imagination and vision. determine how our brand is perceived by Victoria as a program group of the AIDS to get access to the first antiretroviral For over thirty-five years of an epidemic the community and if those perceptions Council and Health Centre is a source of drug used to fight HIV, AZT. Keith was that has claimed the lives of thousands would serve us well into the future. The pride. People living with AIDS are involved instrumental in establishing buyers clubs in our community, the assets that have consultations found that a significant in all decisions and program areas within to ensure Australians had access to life remained centrally important to our work proportion of the respondents thought the organisation and this has helped to saving drugs. are dignity, integrity and optimism. When that the name, VAC, was not inclusive or focus all services to the needs of the TRANS RIGHTS we had nothing else, we had hope. reflective of the broader work we do with users.” We hope that this is the last decade of Additionally, at a time when many in the regard to LGBTI health and wellbeing. The This statement was made 13 years before this epidemic and we can continue to feminist movement questioned the rights of challenge for the Board was to arrive at a the United Nations General Assembly work for the dignity and wellbeing of our trans women Alison fought for transgender new brand that paid homage to our origins Special Session on HIV and AIDS adopted community on the solid foundation and rights industrially, championing the and was inclusive enough to recognise the GIPA* Principle as a ‘commitment legacy of our past. cause of trans people who have been our work now and into the future, to do made by the governments of the world to discriminated against in the workplace as this we looked at how we began and the the full inclusion of people living with HIV in well the plight of trans people in the prison *GIPA is the acronym The Greater leadership that has defined our work and decision making that affects us’. our organisation. system. She has studied the origins of Involvement of People Living with HIV, LGBTI RIGHTS transgender oppression and their links to often coupled with MIPA: the Meaningful OUR ORIGINS In the early 80s, when even some homophobia and women’s oppression. Involvement of People Living with HIV. At a time when HIV and AIDS existed as organisations on the left sought to A BETTER FUTURE terrifying spectres on the horizon, Alison marginalise the interests of their lesbian Thorne was among the many concerned Throughout her life, without regard to the and gay members, Alison sought to community members at the first public considerable personal cost of her work, champion those that she considered to meeting, attempting to grapple with the Alison has fought for PLHIV, trans people be the ‘most oppressed in the working emerging crisis. She made the simple and more broadly for the rights of the class – including queers’. Alison wrote at statement; “What are we doing about this, LGBTI community. the time, ‘women, people of colour, and and how can we do it? What we need Keith Harbour worked to save thousands lesbians and gays were essential movers is an organisation.” Her rallying cry was of lives and paved the way to HIV and shakers within the working class.’ an important founding voice in what was becoming a chronic, manageable to become the Victorian AIDS Council. She championed the rights of GLBTI condition. Keith died in August of 1991 Alison, along with eleven others, formed communities and has consistently fought working to make our community a better the inaugural Board. for the inclusion, equity, diversity and and safer place. dignity of our community in all her activist KEITH HARBOUR’S VISION Both Alison Thorne and Keith Harbour can work. Keith Harbour was President of the be described as fearlessly courageous MATTERS OF LIFE AND DEATH Victorian AIDS Council / Gay Men’s Health in their commitment to inclusion, health Centre (VAC/GMHC) from 1987 to 1989 Keith was arrested on the steps of the equity and diversity related to the health and is remembered as a hero in our Victorian Parliament House in 1990 for and wellbeing of our LGBTI communities, organisation and the HIV and AIDS sector taking part in an ACT-UP demonstration fighting in their own ways with both integrity as a whole. He was a fierce proponent fighting for the rights of people living with and optimism. of inclusion, coining the phrase “Talk to HIV. He was a tireless advocate for access In aligning our organisation with leaders us, not about us.” And was instrumental to treatment, having meetings at Fairfield like Alison Thorne and Keith Harbour we

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 3 th e future “I often think our communities are much more diverse and have more in common than we realise. Someday, perhaps we’ll be more interconnected, woven together to be stronger and helping each other face the challenges still ahead of us.” RAY PRESIDENT & CEO REPORT

Our communities know that achieving progress can often be slow and arduous, requiring unremitting dedication. Along the way, we celebrate the small victories in order to motivate us, to keep us going, to ensure we stay the course. Less frequently, we see the culmination of all that dedication and those victories result in something greater. The past financial year has seen a handful of those landmark moments. MARRIAGE EQUALITY With the announcement of the marriage equality survey, we raised our concerns around the negative toll this would take on the health and wellbeing of the communities we serve; however, we also understood that if this was going to happen, we needed to mobilise – and quickly! The ‘YES’ campaign saw us strengthen partnerships and foster new ones. Our volunteers, staff, and members came together to make badges, knock on doors, and get the word out to ‘Vote YES’. Over one weekend, the façade of the Peter Knight Centre was covered in a THE DRAMATIC MOMENT WHEN THE RESULT OF THE MARRIAGE EQUALITY VOTE WAS ANNOUNCED OUTSIDE THE STATE LIBRARY, VICTORIA rainbow ‘YES’ mural – which went on to IMAGE COURTESY OF BROADSHEET become the backdrop of countless photos over the months that followed. We set up additional services to meet the increased demand from our LGBTI communities – whose mental and often physical wellbeing suffered in the face of the divisive public debate. On 15 November 2017, our communities gathered to hear the results of the survey. As the Australian Bureau of Statistics announced that over 61% said ‘yes’, an emotional wave of relief and celebration erupted. The process left us bruised, but not beaten. roles in the communities they serve, but more research confirm that Undetectable full scope of our work, we looked to the OUR FUTURE HOME many of our other sites will need to grow = Untransmittable (U=U). People living future, and marked our 35th birthday with As we left the Peter Knight Centre, and evolve in the years ahead. With that in with HIV who are on effective antiretroviral the transition to Thorne Harbour Health. whose newly painted rainbow ‘YES’ mind, we’re excited by the possibilities that therapy and have sustained an This transition was complemented by mural remained untouched until the last stand before us with the recent purchase undetectable viral load do not pose a risk our new Strategic Plan 2018-2023 and wall of the site was demolished in 2018, of 200 Hoddle Street in Abbotsford. to their sexual partners. supported by a branding campaign that we began a process of relocation that Together with our plans for delivering The virtual elimination of HIV transmissions featured a diverse collection of faces will continue over the years ahead. The health services in the Victorian Pride draws closer and biomedical interventions representing the communities we have staff and services previously housed on grown to serve. This change is a big step Centre this will see major service sites are seeing HIV rates drop across the Claremont Street moved into 615 St Kilda but one that has been warmly embraced both north and south of the Yarra. country. While we have seen those Road in November 2017. Co-located with by so many already. BIOMEDICAL PREVENTION communities closest to the organisation the Cancer Council of Victoria, this move embrace this wholeheartedly, a great deal Thorne Harbour Health is nothing without has seen a dramatic increase in the quality In recent years, we’ve been leading a its community. We exist because of our of work lies ahead in ensuring everyone of facilities we can offer clients, staff, and community dialogue around biomedical volunteers, our members, our service understands that HIV is not over, but there community groups; however, this move is prevention and its potential to change users and our staff. Thank you to everyone are more ways than ever to prevent HIV. only a temporary one. the landscape of the HIV epidemic. who brings Thorne Harbour Health WE ARE THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH together. In particular, we would like to We’re a growing organisation with With regard to pre-exposure prophylaxis thank our volunteers, particularly our Board programs, services, and projects currently (PrEP), we have worked with clinicians, As we approached the end of the financial researchers, politicians, and community year, we also drew closer to our 35th members, and our staff for their tireless spread across every state and territory in work. Australia. We need to ensure we plan for groups to help increase access to this birthday as a community-controlled our future and can continue to support game changer in HIV prevention through organisation. This important milestone This year we have seen a civil inequity corrected, innovation in HIV prevention our growth. While we’re excited to plan a demonstration trials in Victoria, South prompted us to revisit our origin and look embraced, our legacy honoured in our joint future with the Victorian Pride Centre, Australia, and Tasmania. Now on the back on our legacy. Upon reflection, new identity, and our journey toward a new providing accessible services to our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), we noted the significant changes to the PrEP is easier to access than ever before, landscape of HIV as well as our evolution home has only just begun. These are no LGBTI and people living with HIV (PLHIV) small victories – these are big changes for and we’re one step closer to seeing it to provide support and services to LGBTI communities will require more than one the future. single location. Sites like SAMESH in reach its fullest potential in helping to end communities alongside PLHIV. Adelaide and the Positive Living Centre the onward transmission of HIV. Inspired by our past, and recognising Chad Hughes, President in Prahran will continue to play important Meanwhile, the past year has seen even that our brand no longer represented the Simon Ruth, CEO

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 5 th e future “I lost a young friend a few months ago to suicide. The poet, Rumi, wrote: ‘Ignore those who make you fearful and sad, that degrade you back to disease and death. Set your life on fire, Seek those who fan your flames.’ I hope one day we can all do just that.” SUE EVOLVING ACTIVISM

In a hot room, in the summer of 1989, In 2018, activism is just as passionate, upstairs from a second-hand clothes just as committed and just as effective, shop in Gertrude Street, a group of with a varied collection of very powerful around 30 gay men sat and listened to tools that were the stuff of science Keith Harbour and Chris Gill strategize fiction in 1989. Instagram, Facebook, around what was needed to get access text messaging, mobile phones and to the newest, most promising drugs to websites are the standard tools for fight HIV. living in 2018 and all are deployed APPROPRIATE ACTION strategically in activism efforts now. Most recently, the emergence of pre- That meeting was the foundation exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) saw the meeting of the Melbourne chapter of community mobilised using these the AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power, tools and more in the fight for access, ACT-UP. The meeting was orderly education, TGA approval and PBS and respectful, Keith was, as usual, listing. pragmatic, insightful and strategic. There was no abuse, no trolling and COLLABORATION no grandstanding. We all left with a The things that this recent effort have clear idea of what was required and in common with what was going what measures of civil disobedience on in 1989 is a shared passion for would be appropriate to highlight the what was seen as an urgent need need for lifesaving medication for and a willingness to work collectively those who needed it. In an era before with a high degree of collaboration, email, before mobile phones, texting or commitment and creativity. Chris social media, we had come together Williams from PrEP’D for Change and to organise and to fight for what was Michael Whelan from PrEPaccessNow necessary. In much the same way, (PAN) are two community activists who a committed group of community have been at the forefront of the effort members had gathered years before for PrEP access from the beginning. at the emergence of the HIV epidemic, Michael Whelan was aware of activist at a meeting in Carlton when lesbian, efforts from the past, “I was definitely socialist and feminist activist, Alison aware of what ACT-UP did in the early Thorne took the microphone saying days of the epidemic and, in a way, it “What we need is an organisation!” gave us license in the activist space Sowing the seeds for the creation of the now.” But Whelan acknowledges that AIDS Council. the modern tools at his disposal have DIVERSE COALITIONS an upside and a downside. “The upside Back in 1989, the coalition was real. is that it’s definitely easier to mobilise Chris Gill makes the point that it was a people - and mobilise them quickly. truly inclusive movement. “For the first It’s possible for a couple of thousand time we came together as gay men and people to be engaged online - that’s lesbians to fight for what we believed not a problem, but in some ways, in. Artists, designers, actors and even that points to the downside of digital puppeteers were involved from the activism. So, it’s easy to get people organising of fundraising parties to motivated around your cause, but the demonstrations and political organising other side of that coin is that online it’s easy for ‘slacktivism’ to occur and – everyone brought their particular DIGITAL ACTIVISTS TODAY HAVE TOOLS THAT WERE THE STUFF OF SCIENCE talents to bear on issues that were the capacity for lateral violence is FICTION IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE EPIDEMIC, STILL THERE ARE SOME literally matters of life and death.” pronounced in the digital space. But REMARKABLE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THEN AND NOW. I would have to say that the upside After the 1996 AIDS Conference in easily outweighs the downside, and issue rather than to shut down the coalition, collaboration and a degree of Vancouver that demonstrated, for the generally people are respectful and conversation. Having said that, there negotiation, but its effect was significant. first time that combination antiretroviral collaborative.” are limits, and sometimes, not often, Chris Williams comments, “The PrEP therapy including protease inhibitors but sometimes you do have to step in.” Accord was very important and very was effective in lowering HIV viral Chris Williams, one of the co-founders valuable, mainly because it gave the load to undetectable levels, activism of PrEP’D For Change agrees that there WORKING TOGETHER opportunity for those of us in the so- shifted gears. That result in 1996 and are advantages and disadvantages The issue of PrEP access actually gave called ‘activism’ space the opportunity the subsequent widespread initiation to the new activism. “Online activism rise to the Victorian PrEP Accord, which of combination therapy was the means that you can reach a very large was a combination of the ‘old school’ to work with other organisations, as culmination of almost two decades of audience and not be constrained by call around and the newer tools of digital well as those in clinical research and dedicated activism, on the streets, in geographical boundaries anymore. I activism. VAC, (as Thorne Harbour was clinicians, giving us pathways into clinical research and in the corridors guess the downside is that it can be known at the time) convened a meeting conversations with these people where of the pharmaceutical industry and a little impersonal at times. I’d like to of clinicians, social researchers and we were considered as peers - working political bureaucracy. No one believed think that on PrEP’D For Change that grass-roots community activists to to the same end. In any activist space that AIDS was over. No one became we’ve had a very good community form an accord on how activism would there could be rebels with a cause complacent about HIV. But activism response and that people have played work in relation to PrEP going forward. but not much of a clue. The Accord shifted to the human rights of people courteously with each other. That This accord was formed in exactly the allowed us to look at the bigger picture living with HIV and the needs of others doesn’t mean that there aren’t very same way the foundation meeting of with regard to politics and public health in the global south which remained and strong beliefs about what messages ACT-UP Melbourne occurred; with more generally.” The PrEP Accord in some cases still remain in dire need should go out to community, but we real people in the same room at the demonstrated, yet again, that activism at of services, infrastructure, prevention, believe that it’s constructive for people same time face-to-face. The PrEP every level of the HIV response is most treatment and care. to be able to see both sides to an Accord was established through effective when we work together.

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 7 th e future “It comes down to human rights. We all deserve food, shelter, an education. We all deserve the chance to be free from discrimination. Equality and freedom to live peacefully should not be something we have to fight for.” YASLEEM MORE THAN 1,400,000 PEOPLE WERE REACHED VIA 1,400,000+ THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH’S FACEBOOK PAGE.

OVER 385,000 PEOPLE VIEWED OUR CINEMA AD TACKLING STIGMA DIRECTED AT PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV. THIS NUMBER INCREASES TO 2,051,223 THROUGH THE 385,000+ AD BEING VIEWED INSIDE THE CINEMA COMPLEXES.

OVER 347,000 PEOPLE VISITED OUR WEBSITES FOR INFORMATION FROM Emen8, DRAMA DOWNUNDER, STAYING NEGATIVE, TOP2BOTTOM, TOUCHBASE, AND 347,000+ HIV STILL MATTERS.

OUR INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS, WHO FORM THE LIFEBLOOD OF OUR ORGANISATION CONTRIBUTED OVER 65,000 HOURS OF VOLUNTEER WORK TO THORNE 65,000+ HARBOUR HEALTH.

OVER 53,000 CONDOMS WERE DISTRIBUTED TO 53,000+ VENUES, PARTIES AND OTHER COMMUNITY EVENTS.

OVER 40,000 RED RIBBONS WERE DISTRIBUTED DURING 40,000+ OUR WORLD AIDS DAY STREET APPEAL.

OVER 5,300 PEOPLE ARE ACCESSING PrEP TO PREVENT HIV VIA THE PrEPX TRIAL. THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH ALONG WITH OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE PLAYED AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ADVOCATING FOR ACCESS, APPROVAL 5,300+ AND PBS LISTING OF THIS BIOMEDICAL PREVENTION TOOL.

OVER 2,820 RAPID TESTS WERE CONDUCTED AT OUR 2,820+ PRONTO RAPID TESTING SERVICE.

OVER 2,703 APPOINTMENTS WERE MADE AT EQUINOX, THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH’S GENDER DIVERSE HEALTH 2,703+ SERVICE.

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 9 th e future “While tradition is so important, I hope in the future that families can break through traditional stereotypes and embrace that LGBTI people can have the same fulfillment and happiness in their rainbow families.” WEI 20 STORIES FROM THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH

4 Housing Plus - James James* has been part of the Housing financial hardship, major maintenance Plus program for over twenty years. needed on the property, and antisocial He and his partner moved into their behaviour in the neighbourhood. home in the late 1990s, James’s Housing Plus has been there alongside partner was very sick and they were him during this journey – supporting, granted a property in order for James advocating and being there to give 31 Well, Well, Well VAC Legacy Series to care for him. James recalls how him general housing advice. James is In March 2018, Well, Well, Well (our important role of the gay and lesbian relieved he was to be able to care for currently getting back to work restoring weekly radio show on JOY 94.9) liberation movement in forging a his partner with dignity and respect pianos. Sadly, his partner is no longer began producing the VAC Legacy generation of community leaders and in the privacy of their own home, after with him; however, Housing Plus Series looking at our community’s activists that would go on to lead the spending some time moving from one remains a support for James when he 35 year history in responding to HIV/ community response to HIV and AIDS. unfordable private rental to another on needs it and ensures he maintains his AIDS. The series featured interviews The series unpacked the activism a low income. Over the years, there tenancy no matter what comes up in with over a dozen community legends and advocacy that went on, how our have been many ups and downs in life. *Name changed his life, including: difficult neighbours, including: Phil Carswell, Adam Carr, community navigated the political Alison Thorne, Jamie Gardiner, Chris landscape, and how we persevered in Gill, Colin Batrouney, Tony Keenan, the worst of the epidemic. The series Maureen O’Brien, Bill O’Loughlin, David both documented first-hand accounts Menadue, Bruce Parnell, Sue Stone, of our organisation’s origin story while David Bradford, and the late Jim Hyde. also acknowledging various names and The first episode of the series aired places from out past like Keith Harbour shortly after the 40th anniversary and Fairfield Hospital. of Mardi Gras, acknowledging the

2 Farewell Peter Knight Centre 3 David Williams Fund - Phil Following the sale of the building on Phil* was a victim of domestic violence. When he escaped, he was financially, Claremont Street, the services and programs delivered out of the Peter mentally and emotionally traumatised. Knight Centre officially packed up Through the David Williams Fund, and moved in November 2017. Before he was able to get all his fines and moving into 615 St Kilda Road, the demerit points waived under the staff and volunteers looked back on family violence scheme, as they were the history of the building with an all his ex-partner’s. We were able to afternoon of storytelling by some work together with our LGBTI Family of the more senior members of the Violence team to provide Phil with 5 VAC Women - Working Together organisation who provided a colourful accommodation and some furniture. Hot on the heels of International organisation and our role as an LGBTI retelling of our move into the building in We then linked him into his current Women’s Day, we released a new video health organisation in helping to meet the 1990s. bank’s domestic violence project, featuring some of the great women the health service needs of the women of (then) VAC making a difference in our community. In the weeks leading up to the move, which provided him with a $1000 debit to the health and wellbeing of our the organisation left its mark on card and a $500 Coles Myer card. The The video was launched on social LGBTI communities. As a community- media, followed by ChillOut Festival, the building with the façade having funds helped him in setting up the rest controlled organisation, lesbian, receiving over 700 views in the first been painted with a rainbow ‘YES’ of his house. Phil was ever so grateful and appreciative for all the financial and bisexual and queer women have 4 days. It has since had more than mural leading up to the outcome of played an important role in establishing emotional support. He now has a safe 1,200 views. Through sponsorship the Marriage Equality survey. The the organisation, and that tradition arrangements, the video was also place to call home. *Name changed mural remained untouched until the continues to grow today with more screened during opening night and building’s demolition in mid 2018. staff, volunteers and Board members throughout the Bendigo Queer Film from the women’s community. We Festival, as well as Geelong Queer Film created this video to help generate Festival. awareness of the growth within the

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 11 th e future “I look forward to a time when everyone is offered the opportunity to be heard - to not be silenced. We all deserve respect and the chance to fully participate in society.” JACINTA 8 Toy to the World Co-produced by pencilneck production, Toy to the World returned in October 2017 for an encore community art fundraiser. Centred around custom vinyl “Popobe” bears, the design competition pulls together local, interstate, and international artists to create one-of-a-kind works at various sizes. The creations are then showcased in a public exhibition at the ArtBoy Gallery in Prahran. Funds were raised as each artwork was auctioned future off online. 9 SAMESH Our Lives The stigma surrounding HIV is still very sexual discrimination, the long term real and present for the roughly 27,000 health benefits of early treatment, and people living with HIV nationally. For the role of having an undetectable World AIDS Day 2017, our SAMESH viral load in preventing the onward team in Adelaide released the Our transmission of HIV. 6 Victoria’s Red Ribbon at 25 7 THCountry LDAT Project Lives campaign – a series of clips The diversity of stories in the series exploring the lives of three HIV positive In the lead up to World AIDS Day 2017, This year saw the launch of the first reminds us that the landscape we celebrated the 25th Anniversary ever LGBTI Local Drug Action Team South Australians and their personal surrounding living with HIV has of the Victorian Red Ribbon. The Red (LDAT) project to be funded in Australia experiences of HIV stigma and changed, but we have a long way to go Ribbon was the first of the plethora by the Alcohol & Drug Foundation, discrimination. Featuring Adrian, Kath, in educating the broader community in of awareness ribbons we now have spearheaded by Thorne Harbour and Greg, the personal narratives of what living with HIV really means in a to commemorate and acknowledge Country. Drawing on current research the Our Lives series investigates topics contemporary setting. a wide variety of worthwhile causes; and knowledge, the LDAT Project has surrounding HIV such as social stigma, however, the Red Ribbon was the innovatively brought together a team of first and continues to be an important local LGBTI people from the Loddon symbol used to remember lives lost to Mallee to form a committed and strong HIV/AIDS and to celebrate those with community reference group, host the virus living and loving amongst us community forums, develop community still. champions, and begin to develop a In our 30th anniversary book, Under range of online digital media resources The Red Ribbon, the story of the to target alcohol and other drug misuse uniquely Victorian Red Ribbon is of LGBTI people in regional and rural told. Brent Lacey redesigned the areas. International Red Ribbon by removing The community forums were held the loop at the top so that more ribbons both in Bendigo and Castlemaine could be made from a roll, resulting in and both proved to be particularly more ‘bang for our buck’ per roll. Brent powerful. The forum saw people tell intended that funds raised from the sale their stories of what lead them to the of the ribbons would benefit Victorian misuse of alcohol and other drugs as women, men, and children living with well as exploring why this is such a HIV through the David Williams Fund. problem in our community. Participants The 25th Anniversary event retold this reported finding the forums to be highly story alongside entertainment and beneficial to the community, reporting dinner for our members and special 10 Little Pricks on how “the nature of the group guests on the night. At the start of 2018, we developed the men under 26. Little Pricks aimed to sessions produced an open flow and Little Pricks immunisation campaign make gay and bisexual men aware that Opera singer Merlyn Quaife sang our very genuine discussion”. National Anthem recreating the moment for gay, bisexual, and other men who there was an outbreak in Victoria, that Joan Carden appeared on national The community reference group has have sex with men at the request of the a vaccination was available, and that television wearing a Red Ribbon while been working hard on collating all the Department of Health. The campaign it was now free. We sent campaign singing the National Anthem at the information collected at the forums and was created in response to an outbreak materials to over 2,000 GP clinics, 1992 AFL Grand Final. The exposure are now in a position to film and launch of Hepatitis A and Meningococcal C community centres and health care of this new symbol of AIDS awareness their first ever campaign. This has been amongst gay and bisexual men. The settings, and included an online social had a substantial impact, and an exciting project for LGBTI people Department of Health responded to this marketing component on various awareness in the community increased living in the region with more exciting outbreak by providing free vaccinations social networking sites alongside radio rapidly of what a simple ribbon could LDAT projects already in the planning. to all men who have sex with men, and advertisements on JOY 94.9 and mean. Our Red Ribbon continues to included the Hepatitis B vaccination cinema advertisements at MQFF. provide that awareness every World along with the HPV vaccination for AIDS Day on 1 December each year.

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 13 th e future “As a proud Yidinji/ Butchulla/Meriam woman, connecting with my fellow First Nation LGBTQIA mob has enriched my spirit, pride and keeps me strong. My partner and I have found a connection with our mob that has been very valuable for us. We all need that.” JAMARA 11 PARTi Project 13 GLOBE Win for Volunteer This year we partnered with Star Myka Williams Health on a project called the Peer Thorne Harbour volunteers have always Centre and our volunteer program Advocacy Response Training Initiative, featured as finalists and winners for to rebuild his confidence and more E E or PARTi Project. The PARTi Project is the Volunteer of the Year award at the actively participate in his community. N T R led by three peer workers and focuses GLOBE Community Awards, but Myka Myka’s real strength lies in his ability U on reducing drug-related harm in Williams was the first to share his story L to empower others and build social nightclubs in the cities of Stonnington about overcoming social isolation O capital. A strong advocate for what

and Port Phillip. The project emerged and mental health concerns by taking V O

volunteering can deliver, Myka has after the tragic deaths of 3 people action. For him, volunteering was part F

helped many other people living

in January 2017 who had allegedly of the solution and a way of giving back

consumed ‘bad pills’ while partying with HIV find meaning through their T

to services that had assisted him. The H

contributions.

E in the Chapel Street precinct. This MYKAR WILLIAMS

lack of confidence that can sometimes A Y escalated the need for both increased occur due to poor mental health is E access to evidence-based information debilitating. Myka used the security on safer using for people who use and safety offered at the Positive Living party drugs as well as a stronger harm reduction focus from nightclubs. Our PARTi Project team has worked closely with nightclubs in the Chapel Street precinct (and beyond) to encourage venues to adopt policies that align with harm reduction principles. The team has also delivered training to nightclub staff to enhance their knowledge on responding to drug-related harm and overdose. The team launched their first ‘Drug Awareness’ training for peers on International Overdose Awareness Day on the 31st of August. The training was tailored towards people who use drugs in a party setting and focused both on preventative strategies for reducing drug-related harm as well as recognising and responding to drug- related harm.

12 HIV and Ageing In partnership with Living Positive Victoria, we have launched HIV & Ageing - a HIV peer support network and positive self-management program for people living with HIV aged 50 and over. Both the Positive Self- Management program and monthly peer support network gatherings offer ABBY LANDY AS SHE APPEARS IN THE VIDEO, COULD IT BE HIV? a social setting to talk about a variety 14 of topics relating to ageing while living Could it be HIV? with HIV. With funding from ViiV Healthcare, at high risk of contracting HIV, might be with information provided by Professor The Positive Self-Management Program we produced Could it be HIV? – a misdiagnosed. The clip shares the story Jenny Hoy, the Director of HIV medicine aims to empower people by equipping clip for GPs and other medical of Abby Landy, a young heterosexual at the Alfred Hospital. Professor Hoy them with information and teaching healthcare professionals with the aim Australian female living with HIV. Abby provides information about various skills and techniques to improve self- of increasing their awareness around presented at several medical clinics symptoms that someone might care and doctor–patient interaction, symptoms of HIV. Could it be HIV? and hospitals with severe HIV related present with and suggests that any with the ultimate goal of improving highlights the need to offer an HIV symptoms but was not offered an HIV of these symptoms would warrant an one’s quality of life. HIV & Ageing builds test to individuals who present with test due to a perception by healthcare HIV test regardless of perceptions of confidence and equips participants possible HIV-related symptoms, but professionals of her not being at risk of risk. The clip aims to get healthcare with the skills to coordinate all the due to a perception that they are not HIV. Her personal story is interwoven professionals to ask, ‘Could it be HIV?’ things needed to manage their health as well as keep active in their lives. In 15 Nanyubak Yapaneyeputj particular, HIV & Ageing is designed Victorian LGBTI Retreat for those living with longstanding HIV alongside significant co morbidities. This year, our Aboriginal and Torres dinner, open mic night and other art have formed a Facebook group and Strait Islander Project Lead was a and healing sessions. exchanged details in the hopes of steering committee member and A common theme from participants seeing more events for LGBTI Aboriginal participant for the Department of Health was the feeling of isolation felt by and Torres Strait Islander people in the and Human Services: Nanyubak Aboriginal and Torres Strait LGBTI future. Upon evaluation, the event was Yapaneyeputj Victorian LGBTI Retreat. Mob – emphasising the importance successful in strengthening resilience, Held in Shepparton from 18-20 of events like this one to help people engagement and inclusion as well as May 2018, the gathering attracted connect. Our project produced a gym promoting Aboriginal LGBTI networks approximately 40 Aboriginal LGBTI towel for the event featuring the colours and providing a strong voice for the participants and allies to Yorta Yorta of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Aboriginal LGBTI community. Country. The program included cultural Islander flags and the Pride flag. In an sessions, yarning circles, a welcome effort to stay connected, participants

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 15 th e future “The world is moving at a more rapid pace. I hope we ensure we take a moment to stop and listen to each other and open our eyes to what’s happening in front of us. Live in the moment. Breathe the fresh air.” MOHAMED 16 iHeal Family Violence Services Our Family Violence Team continues to deliver a suite of services to our LGBTI communities across Victoria. This includes the Flexi Support Packages for victim/survivors of family violence and intimate partner violence as well as the Revisioning program for gay, bisexual or queer men that use violence, now going into its 14th year. This past year saw the addition of the iHeal program. In response to recommendations arising from the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence, this new service delivery model was developed. iHeal seeks to support an individual’s long term 18 ReThink the Drink recovery from the trauma of family and intimate partner violence and is a Officially launched this year at the specialised recovery program for LGBTI Bendigo Queer Film Festival (BQFF), victim/survivors. ReThink the Drink is part of VicHealth’s Alcohol Culture Change Initiative. The The framework puts individuals at the centre of their recovery journey, project incorporates different elements acknowledging that survivors have to encourage women to think about unique and important insights into what their relationship with alcohol and how recovery means to them and what a hangover could be stopping them supports their recovery. The program from achieving their goals. Following the offers case management, counselling, opening night film at BQFF, the launch and support from specialised recovery included a panel of guest speakers, support workers. Clients can access including Commissioner Ro Allen, iHeal in their own community – this discussing a range of health issues outreach component brings a much concerning Lesbian, bisexual and queer valued accessibility to the program. (LBQ) women in the region. In addition 19 Queer Pool Party to print collateral and digital promotions, One Flexi Support Package recipient As Midsumma was coming to a close, sound of Pop Chops DJs throughout the project is inviting LBQ women in described their experience of family we produced a new event for the the day. There was truly something for regional areas to share their story about violence as “the most difficult time I festival – the Queer Pool Party. The everyone. Our friends at Melbourne reducing drinking and what they have have ever experienced in my life” and afternoon event was a relaxed, alcohol- Surge helped Water Polo Victoria gained by doing so. By sharing these after receiving support they wrote that free recovery session from a busy two run Bumpa Ball activities as well as stories and hearing others, the project their life and the lives of their children weeks of festival events. We took over ticketing, serving up snags, and set up. aims to support individuals in realising the Prahran Aquatic Centre to create have improved greatly. They described As we wrapped up the event, the one a colourful and queer-friendly space. question people asked was ‘Are we the material aid for them and their they are not alone. Over 600 people dropped in to enjoy children as making their everyday The project has a dedicated section having a Queer Pool Party next year?’ the sunshine, a sausage sizzle, and the experience of caring for their children on the Thorne Harbour Health website, so much more manageable. They went where a number of these stories can on to state that for the first time since be read. The project also aims to 20 PRONTO! Bendigo they separated from their ex-partner, encourage health seeking through PRONTO! Bendigo was launched in they feel a genuine legitimacy in their providing links to our counselling and December 2017. It was an incredible capacity as a parent. AOD support services. expansion for Thorne Harbour Country. As a collaboration with Bendigo Community Health and the Burnet Institute, PRONTO! Bendigo has been responding to the specific sexual health testing needs of gay, bisexual, and trans men and non-binary people living 17 Medically Supervised Injecting Service in regional and rural Victoria. PRONTO! Bendigo is working closely both with We along with the Victorian Alcohol injecting centre for two years. clients and local agencies to improve and Drug Association, Harm Reduction Several months later, in July 2018, the quality and access to services. Victoria, Living Positive Victoria, and the medically supervised injecting centre Australasian Professional Society on in Richmond opened its doors. Within Since launching, the team have Alcohol and other Drugs, drafted a joint its first two months of operation, the reported stories of men travelling over 3 statement that called on the Victorian centre had 8000 visits and responded hours to have their sexual health check, Government to trial a medically to 140 overdoses, many of which would having never tested before out of fear supervised injecting centre (MSIC). have been fatal without the immediate of stigma and discrimination. Others Forty-three leading health, community, medical care provided by the centre. shared stories of being too scared to and alcohol and other drug The safe injecting room has reduced disclose to their family doctor or simply organisations, as well as prominent ambulance call outs, referred people to were not aware of how to best care for individuals, signed the joint statement. the rehabilitation and support services themselves. their passion for the health of our In October 2017, one month after the they need, and most importantly To help get the word out there about community. The footage is being used release of the joint statement, the reduced overdose deaths. In short, the PRONTO! Bendigo, we arranged for to create 5 short videos, featuring faces Andrews Government announced trial of the safe injecting room has been a community filming day for people from the community while reminding it would trial a medically supervised an overwhelming success. to come together and express everyone that it’s time to get tested!

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 17

ENDURING LEGACY

This year we mourned the loss of by a genuine sense of compassion and a two important figures in the history of commitment to caring. our organisation, Tony Maynard and PROFESSOR JIM HYDE Professor Jim Hyde. The fact that both At the time of his death, Professor Jim men were serving board members at Hyde was an active and vigorous board the time of their death is a sign of their unfailing and passionate commitment to member. His almost 30 year involvement the work of our organisation. with the organisation was characterised by passion, intelligence, strategic insight, TONY MAYNARD and a fierce commitment to the HIV Tony Maynard was appointed the first and AIDS sector as well as the LGBTI ever treatments officer at the AIDS community as a whole. Council in the early 90s, working when Jim was a life member of VAC and was, HIV notification rates and deaths from in fact, the General Manager of the AIDS were at their highest. organisation from 1990 to 1994. During His work at this time, when deaths that time, he guided the organisation from AIDS were a weekly, sometimes in its development from our modest daily, occurrence was characterised by premises in Collingwood to our relocation sensitivity, care, generosity of spirit and to Claremont Street in South Yarra, where genuine regard for the clients, many of we remained for 23 years. He was also at whom were friends of Tony’s from the the helm in 1993 when the first Positive community. He could often be seen Living Centre opened on Acland Street in sharing a meal or a coffee with clients, St Kilda. Jim was a founding member of talking through treatment options and the AIDS Council of South Australia and encouraging people to never give up the South Australian Gay and Lesbian hope, often in the face of seriously Rights Lobby. debilitating illness and the tragic reality of Jim held senior policy positions in both facing death. For his own part, he never the New South Wales and Victorian allowed the toll of the epidemic to show, Departments of Health, including serving always cheerful with a wicked sense of as Victoria’s Director of Public Health the humour he was always ready with a smile where he brought his grassroots activism and a welcome, no matter how difficult and community awareness to bear on the circumstances or the issues he was matters of high level public policy. facing with his clients and friends. future He was awarded the inaugural Rainbow COMPASSION & FORESIGHT Award for Leadership in the Gay Looking back on his career, a colleague Community in 1993 and the PLWHA recounted how Tony assisted a young Victoria President’s Award for Services to HIV positive couple to access vertical the Positive Community in 2008. transmission prophylaxis, prior to the Jim was an Adjunct Chair at the publication of a landmark study, so that they had a healthy, HIV negative baby. University of Western Sydney, an In a world before the internet, knowing Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Monash that this information was out there before Centre for Ethics in Medicine and Society, publication was truly remarkable. Tony and a Professor of Public Health Policy at was incredibly knowledgeable and he Deakin University. genuinely cared about people. PASSIONATE & PROVOCATIVE With an established focus on HIV Jim could be seen by some as treatment throughout his career, Tony provocative in his relentless pursuit of TONY MAYNARD PROFESSOR JIM HYDE was excited to join the Board at a time issues related to the health and wellbeing when biomedical prevention’s role in of LGBTI communities. He could be a “Jim was a great strategic thinker, a skilled From the sale of our previous premises ending HIV was being fully realised fierce opponent and a formidable ally. Jim negotiator and policy expert, as well as a in South Yarra to our rebrand to Thorne with the introduction of pre-exposure always said, “I try to contribute as best generous elder of our community. Harbour Health and countless other prophylaxis (PrEP) and the impact of an I can.” Through all his endeavours, he “Whenever we came across complex matters, his legacy is significant.” undetectable viral load in people living sought to make our community a safer, issues related to the organisation, Jim Both Tony and Jim provided leadership, with HIV. healthier, and more secure place. was always ready with sage advice and insight, energy and compassion at pivotal His legacy will be one of considered At the time of his death, Thorne Harbour critical insights that I personally, and the points in the history of the epidemic and attention to scientific evidence tempered Health President, Chad Hughes said, organisation as a whole, benefitted from. our organisation. They will be missed.

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 19 th e future “PrEP and biomedical prevention are paving the way toward making HIV a thing of the past. There may not be a cure for HIV, but I look toward a future where the onward transmission simply doesn’t happen.” DIMITRI ENGAGING COMMUNITIES

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH’S COMMITMENT TO MEANINGFULLY ENGAGE WITH THE LGBTI ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER COMMUNITIES CONTINUES WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INNOVATE RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN FOR 2018-2020. PHOTO COURTESY PETER WAPPLES-CROWE

As an LGBTI community controlled Thorne Harbour Health remains the A further aim of the project is The Innovate RAP 2018-2020 has a health organisation, Thorne Harbour only AIDS Council in Australia to have developing a model for organisational focus on working with Aboriginal and Health is based in the communities completed a MIPA audit and will seek capacity building that may be replicated Torres Strait Islander stakeholders it serves and which it is governed to undertake this process again in the in other organisations, with the over- to test and trial projects, building by – by community, for community. coming year. In addition to engaging arching, longer-term objective of relationships, showing respect and As the range of services we offer with individual community members improving accessibility and inclusion improving opportunities. The Innovate develops; as our geographic catchment and service users living with HIV, across communities. An evidence- RAP 2018-2020 is due for imminent expands and as our communities’ Thorne Harbour Health regularly based, peer-led organisational audit of release. expectations of us grows, we need to consults our partner representative inclusion and accessibility is underway TRANS AND GENDER DIVERSE ensure we remain fully engaged with organisations Positive Life South and learning from this activity will inform ADVISORY GROUP (TAG) our communities’ needs and wants. Australia, Positive Women Victoria and an organisational action plan, and The Thorne Harbour Health Trans and Through our new Strategic Plan, we Living Positive Victoria. critically will shape the development of Gender Diverse Advisory Group (TAG) have once again committed to ensuring a sustainable capacity building model. DISABILITY COMMUNITY continues to provide invaluable insight the community can engage at all ADVISORY GROUP INNOVATE RECONCILIATION and input into our health and support levels of the organisation and that we Thorne Harbour Health has partnered ACTION PLAN (INNOVATE RAP) services. The TAG continues to work recognise the value that our diverse with members of the LGBTI community As our Reflect RAP came to with our service teams to ensure that communities bring. to build the organisation’s capacity completion, Thorne Harbour Health’s trans and gender diverse issues are THE MEANINGFUL INVOLVEMENT to engage with and meet the needs commitment to meaningfully engage considered in service design, delivery OF PEOPLE LIVING WITH AND of LGBTI people with a disability. The with the LGBTI Aboriginal and Torres and policy development. The TAG AFFECTED BY HIV (MIPA) project began with the formation of a Strait Islander communities continues has supported the Equinox service Thorne Harbour Health’s commitment Community Advisory Group comprised with the development of the Innovate in addressing operational challenges to the principles of the meaningful of community members with lived Reconciliation Action Plan for 2018- throughout the year, assisted in the involvement of people living with and experience. A key aim of the project 2020. The RAP Working Group development of a new trans specific affected by HIV (MIPA) continues to is to build the individual capacity of consists of Aboriginal and Torres PrEP video and met with our PARTI inform the organisation’s strategic community members by providing Strait Islander community members Project team to ensure that the delivery vision, policies and service delivery. them with the tools, skills and sector and Thorne Harbour Health staff of harm reduction strategies to peers The MIPA Committee, comprising of experience required to continue this representatives. and nightclub venue staff is trans both community and staff member work within other organisations. The Innovate RAP reinforces our inclusive and affirmative. representatives has continued to As part of this, a Co-Mentoring commitment to working with the SAMESH COMMUNITY ADVISORY implement the THH 2016-2018 Framework, underpinned by principles Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander GROUP MIPA Report and Action Plan of co-design and sustainability, has community toward HIV prevention In partnership with Shine SA, recommendations and is integrating been developed. As part of this and harm reduction, and commits to Thorne Harbour Health facilitates these principals of meaningful approach, community members and the ongoing development of Thorne the SAMESH Community Advisory inclusion into all aspects of the THH employees have been matched Harbour Health staff and Board Group that ensures the evaluation and organisation’s operations. Key actions as co-mentors to facilitate mutual understanding of Aboriginal and development of our services in South this year included supporting Positive learning. The aim is to develop Torres Strait Islander culture. We have Australia are informed by and supported Leadership Development Institute internal organisational champions with provided opportunities for staff to the community. The SAMESH CAG has attendance at AIDS 2018, establishing increased awareness and knowledge participate in significant Aboriginal and supported the concept and design of support structures for transgender of disability inclusion, as well as Torres Strait Islander events including several funding submissions that will people living with HIV and ongoing community champions who have had NAIDOC Week and have continued to inform the direction of the SAMESH support to Positive Women Victoria’s access to opportunities to develop their ensure that all staff have undertaken program. peer support program. skills and knowledge. cultural awareness training.

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 21 th e future “I look forward to a world where everybody sees ability first. Living with my disability since childhood, wrapped in bubble wrap, what I couldn’t do was what was focused on. Now I’m dedicated to what you can achieve – the value of what you can do eclipses what you can’t.” GRANT th e future “We’re starting to see progress. Laws are shifting. Societies are evolving. How good would it be if one day no one had to come out? People will just be who they are and that will be the norm.” MISH 35 YEARS OF VOLUNTEERING

Ever since the first night of the organisation on 12 July 1983, it’s been the people that are willing to put their hand up, offer their time, energy, and talents, that have kept the organisation going – our volunteers. And while the numbers of volunteers have fluctuated (it’s estimated we had over 3000 volunteers at the height of the epidemic) and how they have contributed to the organisation has changed, volunteers continue to be the lifeblood of the organisation. As we looked back on the last 35 years of the organisation, Bill O’Loughlin, (who started as a volunteer with us) recently reflected on some of the organisation’s earliest volunteers. “Gay men came forward when their friends became sick – not everybody, and sometimes it was the friend you least expected – who just became rock solid. But you had hundreds and hundreds of gay men who volunteered to become a supporter or a carer for someone with A VICTORIAN AIDS COUNCIL VOLUNTEER TRAINING WEEKEND IN KYNETON, VICTORIA 1987. SEATED IN THE FRONT ROW, FOURTH FROM AIDS – many of whom were gay men, but THE LEFT IS OUR FIRST PRESIDENT, PHIL CARSWELL not everybody. And they were saying, ‘I’m prepared to look after someone, through until they die, who is a stranger.’” EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTION “Now that was extraordinary! And when you consider that homosexuality was illegal according to the law… that these men were degenerate, sick, perverted, a threat to society… and what you had was this extraordinary period of over ten years where these supposedly sick, perverted men did the most extraordinary, altruistic, ones along the way. It’s no surprise that heavily involved with various aspects and encourage in other volunteer-driven selfless thing of saying, ‘I am willing to be when highly active antiretroviral therapy leading up to and during the conference, organisations. In fact, last year saw us part of a team to look after a stranger’ – (HAART) came along and dramatically but with so much planned, we were going expand our partnership on the LGBTI that’s what happened.” changes the HIV landscape in 1996, you to need a great deal more volunteers than Organisations Volunteer Event (LOVE) also saw this prompt a change in our we had actively engaged at the time. to honour and include volunteers from Bill goes on to point out that it wasn’t volunteers. Thankfully, we saw volunteers stream JOY, Switchboard, the Australian Gay entirely gay men, but for a long time, and Lesbian Archives, and Transgender they made up the vast majority of our “The other thing that happened was when back into the organisation – both returning treatments arrived – when there was hope, volunteers who hadn’t been involved in Victoria. This now annual event recognises volunteers. We had people come from volunteer milestones including some our various parts of the community who were there was a huge sigh of relief and a huge years as well as fresh faces of a new retreat from the organisation – a rapid generation of volunteers. From the arrivals own volunteers being recognised for affected by or, in some cases, living with decades of service. HIV themselves. retreat. In the States, you saw huge drops area at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport in donations, as they relied on private to the Global Village to the Mobilisation While the landscape of the epidemic At that time, the organisation’s army of donations… but the AIDS council suffered March, our volunteers were everywhere. has changed, the breadth of the issues volunteers was huge, with the bulk of a big drop in volunteers. People withdrew. Every year, you can still see our volunteers the organisation seeks to address has those working in community support. People were exhausted. And it moved grown to include the broader health and When it came time for us to start hiring en masse during events like World AIDS toward becoming a more established Day and Midsumma, but the reality is that wellbeing of our LGBTI communities. staff to manage the considerable volume organisation without the urgency.” Our army of volunteers are there with us of people involved with our work, you our volunteers are working away in various EPIDEMIC BREAKTHROUGHS capacities nearly every day of the year. every step of the way. We’re also seeing actually had volunteers refusing to our community of volunteers diversify. As While volunteer numbers have never been VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION be managed as the organisation had that has happened, that growing diversity the same, we thankfully have also seen fostered such a strong culture of volunteer Often our volunteers have been allows us to continue to offer programs huge advancements in HIV treatment empowerment. recognised for their outstanding and services that are often both peer- make the virus a chronic manageable Tony Keenan, who also started with the contribution to the communities they serve informed during development and peer-led illness. Our volunteer program organisation in the 1980s as volunteer, - from the Minister of Health Volunteer when delivered. consolidated for many years but we had Awards to the Volunteer of the Year at the went on to serve as our President. He But it’s only possible when people from remembers those times and recalls the a resurgence in volunteers as Melbourne GLOBE awards. prepared to host the 20th International our community put their hand and say ‘I’ll challenges you would face when people Our respect for volunteers was embedded AIDS Conference – AIDS 2014. volunteer!’ were so invested, and to top things off, in our organisation’s identity early on. were losing friends, colleagues, and loved Understandably, the organisation was Today, it’s something we seek to amplify

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 25 FINANCIAL REPORT

REVENUE BREAKDOWN EXPENSES BREAKDOWN

l Grant income 83% l Operating expenses 13% l Operating income 14% l Employee costs 61% l Investment income 3% l Campaign expenses 12% l Client support expenses 11% l Professional expenses 2% l Other expenses 1%

Revenue breakdown Expense breakdown - Detailed

Grant income 10,390,522 Operating expenses 1,607,317 Client fees 1,352,059 Employee costs 7,462,054 Donations, fundraising and bequest income 423,734 Campaign expenses 1,513,288 Goods and Services Income 502,788 Client Support expenses 1,336,309 Membership fees 3,601 Professional fees 237,996 Other revenue 9,352 Other expenses 89,068 Interest income 372,992 12,246,032 Total revenue 13,055,048

Revenue summary

Grant income 10,390,522 Operating income 1,788,746 Investment income 372,992 12,552,260

26 l THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 VICTORIAN AIDS COUNCIL INC./GAY MEN’S HEALTH CENTRE INC. (AGGREGATED) Summary Aggregated Statement of Profit or Loss For the Year Ended 30 June 2018

2018 2017 $ $ Revenue 13,055,048 10,779,730 Less: expenses

Operating expenses (1,607,317) (1,105,128) Employee costs (7,462,054) (6,335,691) Campaign expenses (1,513,288) (1,501,202) Client support expenses (1,336,309) (1,204,488) Professional fees (237,996) (343,514) Other expenses (89,068) (41,660) (12,246,032) (10,531,683) Surplus / (deficit) for the year 809,016 248,047

Aggregated Statement of Financial Position As At 30 june 2018

Assets 2018 2017 $ $ Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 3,001,408 18,684,200 Trade and other receivables 89,262 354,580 Other financial assets 17,101,194 - Other assets 100,765 138,707

Total current assets 20,292,629 19,177,487

Noncurrent assets Trade and other receivables 67,178 - Other financial assets 50,753 - Property, plant and equipment 1,156,431 628,603 Intangible assets 89,184 - Total noncurrent assets 1,363,546 628,603 Total assets 21,656,175 19,806,090 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 1,057,634 392,435 Provisions 1,134,369 888,992 Other liabilities 674,473 842,838 Total current liabilities 2,866,476 2,124,265 Noncurrent liabilities Provisions 136,987 35,102 Total noncurrent liabilities 136,987 35,102 Total liabilities 3,003,463 2,159,367 Net assets 18,652,712 17,646,723

Equity Reserves 447,383 250,410 Accumulated surplus 18,205,329 17,396,313 Total Equity 18,652,712 17,646,723

The above summary financial information has been extracted from the audited financial statements. No audit opinion has been issued in relation to the summary financial statements. These should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements that are available to the members on our website www.thorneharbour.org/financials

THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 l 27 Aggregated Statement of Changes in Equity for the Year Ended 30 June 2018

2018 Accumulated Asset Revaluation Financial Assets Total Surpluses Surplus Reserve $ $ $ $ Balance as at 1 July 2017 17,396,313 250,410 - 17,646,723 Net surplus/ (deficit) for the year 809,016 - - 809,016

Net fair value gains on available for sale financial assets - - 66,973 66,973

Revaluation of property, plant and equipment - 130,000 - 130,000

Balance as at 30 June 2018 18,205,329 380,410 66,973 18,652,712 Accumulated Asset Revaluation Financial Assets Total 2017 Surpluses Surplus Reserve

Balance as at 1 July 2016 17,148,266 - - 17,148,266 Net surplus/ (deficit) for the year 248,047 - - 248,047 Revaluation of property, plant and equipment - 250,410 - 250,410 Balance as at 30 June 2017 17,396,313 250,410 - 17,646,723

2018 2017 $ $ Cash flow from operating activities Grants received 10,614,192 8,203,175 Fees received 1,854,848 1,001,484 Receipts from customers 25,000 4,208 Donations and bequests received 398,733 914,243 Membership fees 3,601 3,825 Interest received 284,297 518,598 Payments to suppliers and employees (11,317,462) (10,132,474) Net cash provided by operating activities 1,863,209 513,059

Cash flow from investing activities

Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment 24,516 - Purchase of financial assets (16,953,741) - Purchase of property, plant and equipment (616,776) (270,572) Net cash used in investing activities (17,546,001) (270,572)

Reconciliation of cash

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents held (15,682,792) 242,487

Cash and cash equivalents at begining of year 18,684,200 18,441,713 Cash and cash equivalents at end of financial year 3,001,408 18,684,200

The above summary financial information has been extracted from the audited financial statements. No audit opinion has been issued in relation to the summary financial statements. These should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements that are available to the members on our website www.thorneharbour.org/financials

28 l THORNE HARBOUR HEALTH 2018 THANK YOU! lACON lADAM RICHARD lAFAO lALFRED HEALTH lALGA the lALISON THORNE lANNA LINDSTAD lANTHONY WOOD lANZ lARCHER lAUSTIN HEALTH lAUSTRALIAN DRUG FOUNDATION future lBALLARAT COMMUNITY HEALTH “One day, it’d be great to lBARRY JANES lBEN PEDLEY be beyond labels. Where lBENDIGO COMMUNITY HEALTH lBETH WILSON lBEV GREET we’re just kind to each lBEV HARBOUR lBOLTON CLARKE other, nice to each other, lBROADTREE FOUNDATION lBURNET INSTITUTE and treat each other as lCANCER COUNCIL VICTORIA lCATHOLIC AIDS MINISTRY we are – human.” lCHAPEL OFF CHAPEL lCHAPEL ST TRADERS ASSOCIATION lCHRISTINE WHEELER DEE lCITY OF PORT PHILIP lCOHEALTH lCOLIN KRYCER lDAVID LARGESSE lDAVID MCDONALD lDAVID OWEN lDEAN ARCURI lDOHERTY INSTITUTE lDON WINSOR lDRUMMOND STREET SERVICES lEAGLE LEATHER lED CHAN lELLEN RATTRAY lEMMA BROWN lFPPV ARCHITECTURE lGALFA lMELBOURNE GAY & LESBIAN CHORUS lGREG KELLY lHERBERT SMITH FREEHILLS lHRLC lJAMES FARMER lJANE GREEN lJESS TOOP lJON JACKSON lJOY 94.9 lLADY POTTER AC lLATROBE UNIVERSITY lLIVING POSITIVE VICTORIA lLUKE GALLAGHER lMAC COSMETICS lMADELEINE MILLER lMAMA ALTO lMARK GROGAN lMELBOURNE CITY lMELBOURNE HEALTH lMERLYN QUAIFE lMERRI HEALTH lMIKE KENNEDY lMIND lMONASH HEALTH lNAB lNADINE KILPATRICK lNORTH WESTERN MELBOURNE PHN lPALLIATIVE CARE VICTORIA lPATRICIA LOW lPATRICK NOLAN lPAUL VINEY lPEOPLE TO PEOPLE COMPUTER SERVICES lPETER REILLY lPHIL CARSWELL lPICTURE THIS BALLOONING lPLSA lPOSITIVE WOMEN VICTORIA lPrEP’D FOR CHANGE & PAN lPROFESSOR ANDREW WAY lQUIT VICTORIA lRO ALLEN lSAM WARD lSHINE SA lSOUTH AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT lSOUTH EASTERN MELBOURNE PHN lST KILDA FOOTBALL CLUB lST KILDA LEGAL SERVICE lSTAGE ART PRODUCTIONS lSTAR OBSERVER lSTEPHEN SOMERVILLE lSWITCHBOARD VICTORIA lTHE LAIRD HOTEL lTHE PRODUCTION COMPANY lTHE INSTITUTE OF MANY lTONY KEENAN lTRANSGENDER VICTORIA lTURTLE COVE lVICHEALTH lVICTORIA POLICE lVICTORIAN GOVERNMENT lVICTORIAN PRIDE CENTRE lVIIV HEALTHCARE lVOLUNTEERING VICTORIA lYOUR COMMUNITY HEALTH lYSAS lZOE BELLE GENDER COLLECTIVE lPHOTOGRAPHY VIRGINIA CUMMINS th e future “I hope that transphobia becomes a thing of the past. I hope we can all walk out the door without a sense of fear - even better if what we’re walking into is a world of acceptance.” CHARLOTTE

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