New leaders, new look

A fresh, new look and a handful of new leaders will help guide Victoria’s peak body for people living with HIV in the lead up to the world’s largest HIV/AIDS conference bound for Melbourne in 2014. Living Positive Victoria is the new moniker for People Living with HIV Victoria Inc, which was unveiled at the organisation’s AGM held this month. A new logo for the organisation was also revealed at the AGM.

First-time board members Avi Miller, Greg Mutter and Richard Keane join Living Positive Victoria while Shane Boyd rejoins the board after a short break. Living Positive Victoria president Sam Venning (pictured), who was re-elected, said the organisation had some new projects on the horizon.

“We’re keen following the new branding to engage with the community and attract new HIV positive members and their supporters to join up as members,” he told the Star Observer.

“We’re developing a couple of health promotion programs but it’s probably a little premature to talk about the specifics.”

Venning said Living Positive Victoria would be backing the recently unveiled Melbourne Declaration, joining other peak bodies including Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, Australasian Society of HIV Medicine and National Association for People living with HIV.

The 2014 International AIDS Conference will be held in Melbourne and attracts up to 25,000 people from around the world.