We have had some wonderful achievements during the past year and there is a range of programs, events and campaigns on the calendar for the rest of the year. A highlight for me during the year was the success of the World AIDS Day Awareness Campaign of Light up Canberra with all the major buildings on the lake foreshore lit up in red lights. This is the second year of this initiative with several more buildings participating in 2006. We are also pleased that this initiative is to be taken up by all the other states and territories in 2007. We have taken our message out to the general community this year with a range of information stalls in shopping centres, at markets and during community festival events as well as our ongoing programs and campaigns to GLBTI communities.
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Community Support Services Unit |
PLWHA continues to offer a range of services to the community and this year it has been able to conduct a retreat for positive people and several workshops for positive people plus participating and assisting with our information stalls at public events.
The work of the council would not be achieved without the dedication of our volunteers. This year we have seen an increase in volunteer numbers and an ongoing commitment from volunteers associated with us for many years. We may not always get the chance to thank you personally but your commitment and involvement is always noticed and appreciated.
I hope to see you all at Candlelight Memorial Service at the Museum of Australia on the Sunday 20th May; this special event will see three blocks of the Quilt displayed for what will be a last time in Canberra as the Australian Quilt has been given to the Power House Museum in Sydney for preservation. Our guest speaker at Candlelight will talk about this process of preserving the Quilt for future generations. This will be my last official duty as A/General Manager as I move onto other opportunities in my life. I once again thank all of the staff and volunteers for their commitment during this past year...
Kevin J Schamburg
Acting General Manager
Community Support Services Unit
The coastal retreat, held once again down at Coach House Marina Resort was a great success. 17 people travelled down to Bateman’s Bay, stopping for lunch at Braidwood. Arriving at the resort we were welcomed with chocolates by the management and a beautifully peaceful afternoon of relaxation. As in previous retreats pre-dinner drinks were a big hit, allowing people to catch up on their day’s activities and to relax before heading off to dinner.
The added bonus of having Adrianne, our Health Maintenance and Treatments Officer, along allowed us to have snorkelling, craft classes and aromatherapy massage in the evening. The evaluations were all positive with all people rating the resort as excellent or good. In fact, apart from a few minor problems it was nice to see that everyone enjoyed themselves and were relaxed enough to all mingle to get to know each other a bit better. People were also very supportive of having the men’s and women’s retreat together.
As always people would like to have a longer retreat next time and we will take this on board when we apply for the next lot of funding.
The Worker’s Reference Group has decided once again this year to cut the number of Positive Support Network (PSN) dinners over the colder winter months to one per month. Dates are still being finalised and will be published in the next Positively. As with last year we will be organising a bigger event for those months affected i.e. dinner at our local Chinese and a movie in Manuka, Christmas in July and the Welcome to Spring BBQ. If you have placed your name down to be a volunteer cook for the night Adrianne would have contacted you to change the details. However we are still looking for people to assist with our Christmas in July Function on the 10 July – so if you can help out on the night then please contact Adrianne on 6257 2855
As most of us tend to hibernate during winter we are also organising pottery classes to be held over a six week period starting on the afternoon 13th of May. Yes this is a Sunday! This will allow HIV positive people who work to come along and enjoy the day as well.
Recently the Chief Health Officer released guidelines for doctors, nurse practitioners, counsellors and those responsible for the care, support or education of a person with HIV, called ‘The Management of People with HIV infection who knowingly risk infecting others’. People Living with HIV/AIDS ACT along with the AIDS Action Council are currently putting together a fact sheet to explain what happens when a report is made that someone is putting others at risk of HIV and the steps involved. This fact sheet will be available form the AIDS Action Council. The guidelines can be viewed in full on the health department website www.health.act.gov.au
By now most of you may be aware that our counsellor Stephanie Buckle is on extended leave until early July. Counselling referrals will be handled by Marcus until Nada Ratcliffe returns from annual holidays in early May. If you require a counselling service I have a list of free or low cost counselling services and referrals will be made on a needs basis.
Adrianne Waterman who is also our volunteer coordinator is aiming to have a new volunteer training session held in May. If you are aware of any of your friends or work colleagues who may be interested in doing this course then please have them contact Adrianne ASAP on 6257 2855 for further details.
Marcus Bogie
A/g Manager
Community Support Services Unit
Community Education and Health Promotion Unit
Staff changes
We are very sad to report that Tony Blattman has resigned to take up a position in ACT Health. Tony was one of the Council’s longest-serving staff, and we wish him all the best.
With Tony’s departure, the unit has had a small reshuffle. David Mills has moved into the new position of Senior Education Officer, while Bede Carmody will take on the role of Events and Fundraising Co-ordinator.
We are pleased to introduce Kobie Howe, who has joined us as a Project Officer.
Increases in sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
We have been informed that there has been a recent spike in notifications of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Canberra and in other states and territories. These infections include Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Syphilis.
Unprotected oral sex is a common means of infection for these STIs, as well as unprotected anal and vaginal sex. It is common to be infected without experiencing any symptoms. Having an STI increases the risk of HIV transmission.
If you think you may be at risk of infection, see your doctor or sexual health clinic for a sexual health test. See www.aidsaction.org.au/testing for more information.
Upcoming free workshops
Stepping Out (for same-sex attracted women): Starts 28 April.
Out There (for same-sex attracted guys under 26): Starts 10 May.
Discussion groups about coming-out, sexuality, sex, relationships and more. Visit aidsaction.org.au, or contact us for more information.
T-SHIRT—sexual health testing for young people
The Testing, Sexual-health, Information, Referral and Treatment (T-SHIRT) will be offering free sexual health testing for people under 26.
2-4 pm Tuesdays 8, 15 & 22 May at Youth in the City (corner of Ballumbir & Petrie Streets).
Volunteers
For those of you who don’t know me I was appointed as the AAC Volunteer Co-ordinator in February this year. I am also the Health Maintenance and Treatments Information Officer and have been at the Council since the beginning of August last year. The Council has had a number of applications already this year from people wishing to volunteer, so we now have over 50 active volunteers.
Volunteers have attended a number of events this year such as the Multicultural Festival and Health and Wellbeing Day at Kingston markets. Activities coming up in the near future are a working bee at the Council to tidy up the grounds, National Volunteer’s Week when we will be having a BBQ for past and current volunteers and Candlelight Memorial on May 20th.
Core training is planned for early May and we have about 10 people who have indicated they would like to attend but we have room for more if there is anyone else interested. Training will most likely be over one and half weekends and participants will be canvassed as to their preference for dates.
Next volunteer meeting is 16 May in National Volunteers Week.
Adrianne Waterman
Volunteer Coordinator