Manager, Diverse Sexuality Health Promotion Department
Community Development, Peer Support, Training and Workshops

I have been involved with WAAC since its inception 22 years ago (when I was just a young guy), both as a volunteer, board member and for the past 12 years as a staff member. Currently I am involved in coordinating the agencies fundraising and events as well as working in Education and Prevention services on a range of different projects.

With a range of great workshops on offer and some new ones being planned for launch in 2008, I find my time in Education both exciting and fulfilling, as co-facilitating workshops is one of my many roles within the education team. I find WAAC an incredibly supportive workplace, open to new ideas which make it both challenging and exciting. I believe that the gay community is made up of a phenomenally diverse range of people we need to embrace and celebrate and really enjoy.

Education Officer, CEPS Gay/ MSM Program
Pride, Community Development, Peer Support

I came to the WA AIDS Council (WAAC) the day before ANZAC Day 2006 – portentous in its metaphor of soldering and sacrifice against the odds for freedom and a better quality of life. It was a fantastic day for me because it meant I would be putting my efforts into the community to which I belong, helping people who are my peers and trying to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

My portfolio here includes the CyberReach online outreach program, WAAC’s involvement in Pride, the Beats Outreach project, Community Development, peer support and assisting my fellow co-workers in workshops and sexual health testing.

I love working at the WA AIDS Council. It is a collegial work environment; enthusiastic, cheerful and passionate. I strongly believe in the mission statement and vision of WAAC – prevention of the transmission of HIV, and education and advocacy around HIV/AIDS. It has a deeply personal resonance for me as I lost my first partner to the epidemic. I don’t consider myself special in this, but I do feel a great need to try to make a difference. In doing so, I hope that I am helping to make a healthier community for us all.

Education Officer, CEPS Gay / MSM Program
Training and Workshops, Peer Support, Beats

My involvement with WAAC began with my role as the Youth Support Officer at the Freedom Centre in 2001. It was during this time that I became aware of the importance of workshops that can equip community members with information and knowledge on a range of issues. To name a few, the coming-out process, self-esteem, communication, support and sexual health.

 After that I spent some time travelling in Europe, the Middle East and South East Asia before I returned to Perth. Such experience guided me through a personal journey to examine some of my core personal beliefs, values and what I would like to contribute to the same sex community in Perth.

In the following years I completed my studies in Community Welfare Work and Psychology and I was involved in the disability field for a number of years. In 2009 I was employed as the Beat Outreach Officer within the Diverse Sexuality Health Promotion Services Team at WAAC and later on moved into full time position. My current portfolios include workshop coordination and facilitation, the Beat Outreach project, peer support and assisting in sexual health testing.

Education Officer, CEPS Gay / MSM Program
Youth Officer, Peer Support