Honour for community workers

Two of the gay and lesbian community’s hardest workers will be honoured next week for their unfailing support.
Don Baxter and Jane Marsden will be recognised for their ongoing support of the community at Honour, an ACON fundraising dinner.
Baxter, the current head of the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, moved to Sydney in 1978 and soon after became heavily involved in gay and lesbian law reform and the country’s response to HIV. He was a founding board member as well as a former president and CEO of ACON and since 1986 has been involved in national leadership positions and key advisory bodies in Australia’s HIV response.
He also played a vital role in the campaign to equalise the age of consent.
After the gay liberation era and when AIDS hit, I saw that this community we built up was on the verge of being destroyed and I wanted to help stop this from happening, Baxter told SSO.
[The award] means a lot because I’m not someone who likes publicity. It’s very important, particularly in the HIV community.
It’s a response by the community, not just individuals. Plus it’s a fundraiser for the aspects of what ACON is not funded for.
Marsden, former Mardi Gras board member, former chair of the Sydney Star Observer board, and current chair of the Aurora Group, has been working in the gay and lesbian community for more than 20 years after initially joining a social group at Parramatta.
She is well-known for her community passion and ability to make gay and lesbian issues more visible in the broader community.
We built a charity -“ The Aurora Group -“ that raises money for non-HIV organisations. This year has been such a successful one and the money goes to such important causes, Marsden said.
Young people who are coming to terms with their sexuality need positive role models and images of the gay and lesbian community and the event gives the community, especially young people, a healthy image of what the gay community is.
It’s an amazing thing to think that peers and other significant organisations recognise the contribution. Clearly the honouring will also be dedicated to all the people who helped and supported me over the years.
ACON CEO Stevie Clayton said Honour was unique because the gay and lesbian community has never had a stand-alone annual event that acknowledges people who display exceptional commitment to and leadership of the community.
With Honour, we now have a great annual platform to recognise and celebrate the difference that particular individuals are making in our lives, Clayton said.
Jane and Don are both outstanding candidates for this prestigious acknowledgement and I congratulate them on their selection.
Honour will be held at the National Arts School on Thursday 13 September from 7pm. Tickets are $95. Bookings on 9206 2024.