“Well you’ll want to see our library then!” was the delighted response. So I followed the staff member down the hall, not exactly sure what to expect. The door opened onto a crazy looking collection.
In one corner there was a mannequin clad in a Condoman costume, there were “Cover yourself in Canberra” posters on the walls, fridge magnets, some giant stickers and a big set of bookshelves. I was struck by the kaleidoscope of colour and community.
I must admit that I had fallen into the trap of perceiving major institutions like the National Library, the Australian War Memorial and the National gallery as bastions of cultural preservation. This view was instantly challenged by the collection held at the Council – and I hadn’t even scratched the surface yet.
When we began to work in earnest with the collection we uncovered some real gems! Original artwork, drafts mockups and stills from advertising campaigns like the Grim Reaper, print ready copies of Canberra’s then queer media, newsletters, tee shirts, fliers and the posters. Thousands of posters!
The collection, accumulated by the Council over nearly twenty years of advocacy, education and support represents and preserves the major phases of the Australian response to HIV/AIDS from the earliest work by activists to the later campaigns.
Although it is not unique, given that other archival collections of a similar nature exist, it is a comprehensive record of both local and national responses to HIV/AIDS and as such is an important resource. In March 2005 the 15th National Australian Health Promotion conference will be held in Canberra. The Conference organisers will be making a selection from the posters displayed here tonight to exhibit at the conference.
The collection also has a profound social and spiritual significance – many of the posters having been designed by gay men and some featuring famous members of the gay community. Many of these men contributed their thoughts and talents at a time when they were infected with the virus or facing the onset of AIDS. A spirit of creativity, generosity and community is enshrined in their work.
It has been very exciting to work on the library project. I’d like to thank the board and staff of the AIDS Action Council for the opportunity to be part of it. Grateful thanks must also go to Megan and my volunteer colleagues for their commitment, their knowledge and their sense of humour.
I would like to close by reflecting on a comment by
Margy Burn as Assistant Director-General,
Australian Collections & Reader Services
at the National Library of Australia who said “Because HIV-AIDS affects so many people who do not normally associate or identify with cultural institutions it raises issues to do with trust, and cultural institutions have to prove themselves as appropriate keeping places.”
We are fortunate that the AIDS Action Council as a vibrant, committed community organisation needs provide no such proof. The collection, whether you interpret it, as social history, as a celebration, as a statement of pride, as a part of the Australian experience or as a memorial is in safe hands.
AIDS Action Council of the ACT Inc., Annual Reports, 2000-2001 and 2001-2002.
Burn, M. Documenting AIDS: The response from cultural institutions
Accessed online 30/11/2004 at
http://www.naf.org.au/aids.htm
Thompson, J. Assessment of Significance
Accessed online 30/11/2004 at
http://www.aidsaction.org.au/content/events/reflections/