Heading south
ACON’s Illawarra Branch has been running Young and Proud, a Wollongong-based GLBT youth group (ages 14 to 24), for over five years. The group meets fortnightly with social and educational components. The next two meetings are scheduled for 18 October and 1 November, from 4pm to 8pm at the ACON Illawarra Community Space.
For the older gay guys in the area, a group has been established called WAGS (Wollongong Aged Gays). This group is meeting the needs of a growing aged population in the area, and is providing support, education and social connections. The group meets the first and third Saturday of every month at the ACON Illawarra Community Space.
ACON will be represented at an upcoming Sexual Health Awareness Day at Hindmarsh Park in Kiama. This expo is on Saturday 13 October, from 11am to 2pm and it is a free youth event.
The ACON Illawarra Branch offers free counselling so with Mental Health Week upon us (7-13 October), this week would be an excellent opportunity for people to come in to the branch and find out what services we have on offer.
As many of you will know there has been an increase in syphilis notifications in the Illawarra this year. Over the next month ACON is encouraging people to find out more about syphilis and to get a test. Visit www.whytest.org.au for more information on where to get a test.
ACON’s presence in the Illawarra region is expanding and we will be working more with GLBT communities in southern regional NSW.
While we will maintain and strengthen our Illawarra Branch activity, we will also be working with GLBT community groups like Hume Phoenix and with health services in southern NSW to improve services for our communities.
It is with sadness that ACON has said goodbye to the previous Illawarra Branch Manager, Peter Irons, who was with the branch for five years. With Peter’s departure, we welcome Shannon Wright, who will take up the challenge of broadening our reach across the southern half of the state.
If you require any additional information about groups, services, organisations in the Illawarra you can contact ACON Illawarra on 4226 1163.
Victoria McGrath is the Administration/Volunteer Officer for ACON’s Illawarra Branch.
Email: [email protected]
