VAC gets new board

The Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Clinic has some fresh faces on the board, electing three new members at their recent annual general meeting.

Returning officer Nick Ward announced the board which now includes Michael Williams, Grant Davies and Val Sands, all of whom have been elected for a two year term.

The new members will join Kevin Guiney, Mark McColl and Guy Hussey who will see out their final year.

There are six positions on the board,as well as a nominee from People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and a staff representative. The board is elected in halves, so only three members are elected at one time.

Don Hay was elected staff representative and the PLWHA representative will be appointed at their upcoming board meeting.

This year’s AGM Awards were also presented at the meeting for outstanding community achievement.
The M.A.C AIDS fund (of M.A.C Cosmetics) received the President’s Award for outstanding contribution, raising $164,000 last year for the David Williams Fund to provide emergency financial assistance to Victorians living with HIV/AIDS.

Hot House Media was awarded for their contribution to the VAC’s safe sex campaign for use of gay porn images free of charge. Porn actor Francesco D’Macho was awarded for helping launch the campaign and raising safe-sex awareness at Midsumma 2008.

Mercedes-Benz was awarded for corporate support alongside local volunteers, Ilan Werbeloff and the late Ken Woodgate who were singled out for their community efforts.

Catherine Barrett, Matrix Guild and Vintage Men took out the research award for shining a light onto the experience of GLBTI seniors in aged care services.

Paul Evans, Pat Cogan, Doris Beecher and Mark McColl all received life memberships.