What AFAO did in 2014

Check out our photo story on AFAO's activities in 2014.

January

We’re in Australia. It was what’s known as the silly season. We went to the beach.

Ok, ok, we were working too, but nothing worth photographing.

February

In February we supported the roll-out of rapid testing.

Policy Analyst Michael Frommer (L) and Health Promotion Officer
Ben Wilcock (R) with two of ACON’s a[TEST] boys.

Vice President Bridget Haire at the pop-up van in Newtown.

March

This month we celebrated UNAIDS Zero Discrimination Day with office photos and a blog post.

Here's Health Promotion Manager Simon Donohoe (L) and Policy & Comms Manager
Linda Forbes with our intern Luke Edgell trying to figure out what to do
with the UNAIDS butterflies.

We also welcomed Admin Officer Danica Gluvakov back from maternity leave this year.
She’s pictured here with Finance officer, Sarita Ghimre (L), Policy Officer,
Michael Frommer and Comms Officer, Finn O’Keefe.

The Bangkok Office got a bit more creative with their response to Zero
Discrimination Day. Here’s International Program Officer Matt Tyne (top)
with Vaness (L) and Office Coordinator Khun A.

In March we also farewelled Matt Tyne. 

Here's Matt (centre) with other AFAO staff, including Manager,
Chris Connelly (centre back), partners, & ex-AFAO staffer, Dave Traynor (R).

April

This month we went to Manly for our biennial National Gay Men's HIV Health Promotion Conference.

Front of house were most of the admin team:
Pete Smith, Renee Parker, & Andrew Sajben.

Destiny Haz Arrived made a cameo appearance, pictured here distributing
postcards to AFAO's Sean Slavin and Michael Frommer.

And then there was Easter.

With some homemade goodies for morning tea.

May

In May it was time for us to get some new photos taken.

Here's Linda Forbes posing nonchalantly.

We also supported  our PNG partner Kapul Champions' anti-stigma campaign, launched to coincide with the annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT). Read about their recent campaign work here.

AFAO Executive Director Rob Lake. 

June

This was a very busy month preparing for the 20th International AIDS Conference - AIDS 2014.

Finn & Jill Sergeant (Project Officer) giving the office a sneak peak at some of the design
work for the G'Day! Welcome to Australia Networking Zone, which we hosted in the Global Village.
This is Spirit Ark, by internationally renowned artist Arone Meeks,
with the colours of fire opal glowing through.

We also road tested our brand new HIV Media Guide website, which aims to support more sensitive reporting on HIV. We launched in time for AIDS 2014 and you can check it out at hivmediaguide.org.au

July

Finally, all our preparations paid off and, along with 14,000 other people, we arrived at AIDS 2014. We staged daily presentations and other activities in the G'Day Zone, launched a special conference edition of HIV Australia, screened a mini film festival and much more.

Did you come and sit on the Australia Couch in the G'Day Zone?
You might be in our Oz Couch selfies gallery 

Lots more pics from the G'day zone and the conference here.

The International team also supported visiting delegates from the region who were sponsored as Australia Award Fellows. Find out more in the video.

They painted the town rainbow.

August

AFAO Staff supported Wear it Purple Day.

September

'PrEP' was a hot topic in 2014. Here's Health Promotion Officer Dean Murphy speaking at our PrEP Forum in Sydney.

A typical AFAO Board meeting.

October

Our National Forum gave members and stakeholders an opportunity to discuss the way forward for the HIV response in the context of AIDS 2014 and a new National Strategy. 

L-R Nic Parkhill (ACON), Ele Morrison (AIVL), Michelle Tobin (ANA)
and Janelle Fawkes (Scarlet Alliance).

November

We welcomed our CAI project partners to Bangkok for their focal point meeting & helped launch stage 3 of the regional CAI project.

And finally, some down time in the Sydney  office. The cacti are happy.

December

Actually during November we were quite busy getting ready for World AIDS Day, and our work with the Department of Health and our members on the Implementation Plan for the 7th National HIV Strategy also spilled over into December. 

AFAO President Willie Rowe (R) with some of our members at Canberra
World AIDS Day celebrations. Thanks to AIDS Action Council for these WAD pix.

Our Executive Director, Rob Lake, talking to the media in Canberra on World AIDS Day.

2014 marks 6 years of supporting the development of a national African Community response to HIV. 

Project officer Jill Sergeant (front left) is pictured here with NSW African
community members and supporters at an AIDS 2014 feedback afternoon tea.

Still hard at work only a couple of weeks out from the end of the year, AFAO International Program Officer Chris Ward visited Islands of Southeast Asia Network on Male and Transgender Sexual Health (ISEAN) in Jakarta as part of the AFAO / APCOM JumpStart Project.

Chris (centre) with Adjie Muhajir (right) and
Gerhard Harefa, Chair of the ISEAN Board.

It's been a packed year. These pictures represent only a fraction of our work. More info and links are in our end of year e-update.

Thanks to all our members and partners from team AFAO for your collaborations, support and inspiration over the past year.

Wishing you a safe & happy festive season from Sydney ....

... and Bangkok.

International Manager Chris Connelly, Engagement and Communications Advisor
James Malar (AKA Santa) & Office Coordinator Khun A.