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2023-2024 Annual Report

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About Queensland
Positive People

About us

Our
strategic plan

About us

Board President and
CEO messages

About us

Patron
statement

About us

Peer
HIV/STI prevention
and testing

Delivering whole of life programs

Peer
support
and navigation

Delivering whole of life programs

Community
education and
engagement

Delivering whole of life programs

HIV
treatment
and management

Delivering whole of life programs

Ageing
and disability

Delivering whole of life programs

Stigma and
discrimination

Delivering whole of life programs

Funding relief
for PLHIV

Delivering whole of life programs

World
AIDS Day

Inclusive and innovative services

HIV stigma campaign

Inclusive and innovative services

Reaching our community

Inclusive and innovative services

Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

Inclusive and innovative services

IAS
conferences

Enhancing relationships

Volunteers

Enhancing relationships

State of the nation

Enhancing relationships

Community events

Enhancing relationships

Membership

Enhancing relationships

Peer and
staff training

Best practice standards

Advocacy
work

Best practice standards

Supported
research

Best practice standards

Positioning QPP
for the future

Strengthening funding

Tributes

More of the year

Service to
our community

More of the year

Acknowledgements

More of the year

Financial
statements

More of the year

About us

About us

About Queensland Positive People

Strategic plan

Our 2021-2025 QPP Strategic Plan informs delivery of our whole of life programs, ensures our services and inclusive and innovative, promotes enhancing our relationships with our communities and stakeholders, whilst keeping us focused on maintaining best practice standards and strengthening our funding for the future. You can explore our progress towards our goals below.

Board President and CEO messages

From the President 

After almost 30 years of service to the PLHIV community this year at the March 2024 QPP staff meeting I announced my decision to retire as QPP’s President.

My plan was to offer my colleagues a smooth transition, which in September 2024 involved my stepping down from President role and transitioning into a new role of Special Adviser until my planned departure in early 2025. It is in that new role I now pen these thoughts on the year just gone.

Mark Counter

2023-2024 Board President – Queensland Positive People

CEO report 

It has been another whirlwind of a year full of incredible achievements for QPP, along with encouraging progress in the broader HIV response in Queensland and Australia. 

It started on a high in July 2023 with the hosting of the International HIV Science Conference in Brisbane. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and a watershed moment of community mobilisation and engagement. While there was a tsunami of extra work, it was an incredible opportunity to shine a light on people living with HIV and celebrate how far we have come in Australia.

Melissa Warner

Chief Executive Officer – Queensland Positive People

Patron statement

For a number of years, I have been honoured to serve as Patron of Queensland Positive People (QPP).  Once again, I am glad to provide support for QPP and the HOPE Fund for the work and support that they have given for people living with HIV and AIDS.  That work has extended through scientific, social and community activities.  It is ongoing.  It deserves support.

QPP continues to reach out to different political parties in order to seek bipartisan support for people living with HIV and AIDS.  As in the past, it has generally proved possible to obtain bipartisan commitments. This is a tribute to our politicians; but also to the Queensland community for the type of society it now is. 

May it long remain that way.  Disagreeing where necessary.  Agreeing where essential.

The Queensland Law Reform Commission has been involved in a review of provisions of the Queensland Criminal Code regarding queries concerning the transmission of, and exposure to, serious disease.  The implications of those provisions for the best possible health outcomes and the elimination of HIV transmission have guided QPP.  So have international guidelines developed by such bodies as the World Health Organisation and the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights. 

There is no human right to spread dangerous diseases.  However, the strategy for engaging with a community at risk has continued to guide the overall approach that has been followed in Australia since the arrival of the HIV pandemic.  The review of the Criminal Code by the Queensland Law Reform Commission will begin in earnest on 1 July 2025.  A final report is expected on 31 August 2026.  The work and submissions of QPP will be tested amongst all groups concerned with the most effective strategies consistent with universal human rights.  QPP will continue to contribute to a strengthening and effectiveness of legislation as supporting the community approach to HIV limitation.

Efforts by QPP to raise funds (always a difficult challenge in this area) have been addressed to the Department of Health (Queensland Health).  Ultimately, support for these causes depends on civil society.  We need to emphasise our common objectives as human beings and in Queensland civil society.

I extend good wishes and encouragement for the years ahead.  And acknowledgement of all that has been achieved as outlined in this report.

The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG^*

Patron – Queensland Positive People

^*Former Justice of the High Court of Australia.  Patron of the Kirby Institute for Infection and Blood Borne Diseases (2011 – ); Members of the WHO Global Commission on AIDS (1989-1994); Commission of the UNAIDS Reference Group on HIV and Human Rights (2001 – 2017).

Delivering whole of life programs

Delivering whole of life programs

Peer HIV and STI prevention and point of care testing

RAPID’s impact on sexual health testing in Queensland

We’ve been there for 8 HIV diagnoses, 50 cases of syphilis, 401 gonorrhoea detections, and 677 chlamydia positives. 

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RAPID’s mail out HIV self-testing program: expanding reach and enhancing impact

RAPID’s future plans

Peer support and navigation

Peer navigation program  

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Our peer navigation team have also contributed their extensive knowledge, expertise and lived experience to a number of national initiatives including: 

• Representation at the National Youth HIV taskforce in Sydney. Discussions emerging from this taskforce informed the  National HIV strategy. 
• Presentation of lived experience of PLHIV in health care settings at the Deadly Sex Indigenous Sexual Health Conference held in Townsville.   

Social groups

QPP understands the importance of social connection and the positive impact this has on people’s quality of life and wellbeing. For people living with HIV (PLHIV), social connection is especially vital as it helps combat isolation, reduces stigma, and fosters a sense of community and belonging.  

To reinforce our commitment to this key program area and emphasise the importance we place on improving the lives of PLHIV, QPP appointed a Community Engagement Officer in 2023.  

Since the appointment of this role, our social groups have vastly improved, in terms of the number of offerings, as well as attendance.  

QPP hosted 74 in-person social groups across Queensland this year with a total of 546 attendances.   

Social groups for the past 12 months have included:   

• Brisbane BBQ 
• Women’s Group 
• Mature Age Long Term Survivors (MALTS) 
• Youth Group*  
• Transgender and gender diverse*  
• Sunshine Coast 
• Gold Coast 
• Cairns 
• Townsville* 
• Rockhampton* 
• Bundaberg* 
• Hervey Bay* 
• Toowoomba* 

*Denotes new group offerings in the last 12 months. 

QPP held a family friendly ‘Planet Positive in the Park’ in December 2023 to align with World AIDS Day and end of year celebrations. 22 people attended this event which featured giant interactive board games, food and lots of fun! 

Community education and engagement

Community education

Bridging the digital divide: how DHC workshops boost health literacy among ageing PLHIV

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Breaking barriers: empowering the home care workforce through podcasts on HIV education

SNACK

Byte-sized inspiration for person-centred aged care.

We break down some of the big questions around what it really means to be person-centred, with insights from those in the know including people who use care services, care staff, and other experts in the field.

This podcast is for anyone who cares about doing care differently.  

 

Listen OnApple PodcastsListen OnExternalListen OnSpotifyListen OniHeart RADIO

S2E6: Safe Spaces, Diverse Faces: Person-Centred Care for PLHIV

byCOTA Queensland

Uncover the intricate layers of creating inclusive and safe environments for people living with HIV. Dive into the intersectionality of identities and explore challenges faced by diverse communities. Learn valuable tips for fostering safe spaces, from open communication to respecting dignity and privacy. This episode is your key to providing person-centred care that acknowledges the unique journeys of PLHIV. Tune in now for transformative insights.

Special thanks to our host for this season, Blair Martin – award winning actor, presenter, writer, and radio host of “Queer Radio” at community radio 4ZZZ Meanjin/Brisbane.

We would also like to thank to all the guests and organisations that contributed to this episode:

• The Queensland Council for LGBTI Health

For further information about HIV, check out the links below:

• What is HIV? – QPP
• HIV and Ageing in Australia – The New Frontier

If you would like further information about QPP services, please visit:

• www.qpp.org.au 

QPP would like to acknowledge the importance of our diverse PLHIV communities as they shape the principles that underpin the work we do. The lived experience and peer contributions of PLHIV remains always at the centre of who we are at QPP. We would like to take a moment to remember those who are no longer with us and laid the foundations for QPP and the sector – we remember the courage and sacrifice of many and we will continue to work towards a world where people with HIV live lives to their full potential, in good health and free from discrimination.

This season of SNACK has been produced by Queensland Positive People as part of the COTA Queensland Consortium Home Care Workforce Support Program which received grant funding from the Australian Government.

Produced by Martin Franklin at East Coast Studio

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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HIV treatment and management

Continued success supporting people to engage in care and overcome barriers 

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Ageing and disability

Our Aged Care Navigation service 

Stigma & discrimination

The QPP and the HIV/AIDS Legal Service partnership continues to demonstrate community need

Despite improved health outcomes for PLHIV, misunderstandings about HIV mean stigma and discrimination remain significant challenges for the community.  

The QPP/HALC partnership enables Queenslanders living with HIV to access legal information, advice, referrals, assistance with legal tasks and representation services where the matter directly relates to their HIV status. Representation services include dispute resolutions and attendance at courts/tribunals relating to HIV and immigration, discrimination, disclosure, employment, child protection, domestic violence, financial and consumer matters.   

In 2023-24, the QPP/HALC partnership provided legal services and information to 100 people living with HIV in Queensland. Most of these clients were born overseas. 10 clients were homeless or at risk of homelessness, 93 were experiencing financial disadvantage, and 12 were experiencing or at risk of family violence. 

Services included a weekly legal clinic providing discrete legal services (advice, information, referrals and legal task supports) in any area of law to improve legal literacy for people living with HIV. The legal clinic is provided by phone, online, or in person at the QPP Brisbane office. Ongoing representation was provided to clients who presented at the clinic with a legal matter that directly related to their HIV status who could not afford private representation and where there was not another suitable service to refer them to.   

• 241 services were provided in 2023/2024 across both the clinic and through client representation services. This included:
• 154 counts of advice
• 38 legal tasks
• 13 information services
• 6 referrals
• 46 representation services
• 4 dispute resolution services
• 5 court/tribunal representation services

A snapshot of those matters included:

• 9 legal tasks to assist clients with lodging partner visas or the health waiver – this would have saved those clients approximately $4,000-$8,000 each in legal fees, and many have since reported that the visas were granted. Some of these tasks involved sponsors that were also living with HIV and would face detriment if their partner had to depart Australia.
• 31 services were related to discrimination.
• 173 services were immigration-related, with at least 35 related to partner visas and 51 to protection visas.

During this reporting period, HALC have also assisted in the review of the QPP Disclosure Guide, which provides up-to-date information on the legal requirements surrounding disclosure of HIV status to employers, sexual partners, insurers and other external parties.

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HALC and QPP are proud of the continued success of our partnership and legal services provided, noting the increase in services opened since the partnership expanded and the strains imposed by the COVID pandemic abated.

If you are a person living with HIV and you need legal support – please contact us here.

Funding relief for people living with HIV

Continuing positive impact: the HOPE Fund’s year of community support and empowerment

The Hats Off Positive Endeavour (HOPE) Fund was established on 1 February 2006 by co-founders David Bermingham and Simon O’Connor to support people living with HIV in need across Queensland.

The Fund is an initiative of Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and QPP, in partnership with the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (QC). The grants committee comprises of a representative from each organisation who decide the outcome of each application. 

At the core of this fund is the belief that everyone living with HIV deserves opportunities to thrive.  The HOPE Fund is dedicated to empowering individuals by supporting small grants that promote health, well-being, and inclusivity for people living with HIV. The grants are for goods and services to PLHIV who are experiencing financial hardship, have a demonstrated material need, or are looking to improve their lives.

Together, we are building a more inclusive, healthy, and hopeful future for all people living with HIV in Queensland.

Eight people living with HIV were supported through The HOPE Fund in 2023/2024 with the total amount awarded being $6585.26.

The balance of The HOPE Fund at 30 June 2024, after all grants were awarded and paid, was $83,269.90.

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We extend our deepest gratitude to our committee, our partners, donors, volunteers, and the incredible individuals we serve. Your support, passion, and dedication are the driving forces behind this initiative.

Easing the Impact of the Increasing Cost of Living – the Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF)

The Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) is a QPP-managed program, funded annually by Queensland Health, providing short-term financial assistance to all PLHIV residing in Queensland (including those ineligible for Medicare) who are experiencing financial hardship. This support is aimed at facilitating early and ongoing engagement in HIV-related treatment and services.

The assistance provided includes coverage for clinical consultations, medication costs, food expenses, communication costs (e.g., phone credit), travel expenses, and emergency accommodation. Additionally, other miscellaneous expenses that may impact medication adherence can also be requested.

This year, the ETF provided $19,510.51 in financial assistance to 79 PLHIV, including 68 Medicare-eligible and 11 Medicare-ineligible individuals. The recipients were from 19 different countries of birth and were located across Queensland. As expected, the ETF committee saw a decline in the number of ETF applications for HIV medication assistance due to the Queensland Government’s commitment to providing free HIV antiretrovirals. In saying this, the ETF did still receive a substantial number of applications for general medications – this includes non-antiretroviral HIV medications. With the expected decline in funding for HIV medications, we predicted that we would see an overall reduction in ETF expenditure in the 2023-2024 financial year. However, this was not the case, and a significant increase in overall expenditure was observed. Substantial increases in the amounts expended for food, travel, phone costs and miscellaneous costs were observed. This can most likely be explained by cost-of-living pressures being experienced within the last year. We anticipate the number of ETF applications to remain steady over the next year, due to the continued cost-of-living crisis that is being experienced in Australia.

Support for Clients with Complex Challenges – the CCF

The CCF is an annual grant provided by Queensland Health to QPP, aimed at supporting people living with HIV (PLHIV) who have complex needs. To access the fund, individuals must be referred to QPP by the HPHT. The fund’s primary purpose is to offer practical assistance that helps remove barriers preventing engagement in HIV treatment and care.

Over the past year, 46 PLHIV were supported through the CCF on 119 occasions, with assistance covering areas such as medication, housing, transport, accommodation, and communication needs. A total of approximately $13,710.16 was allocated to help individuals with complex needs.

Applications to the fund are submitted by HPHT and QPP case managers on behalf of those receiving collaborative support. A committee, consisting of representatives from QPP and the Communicable Diseases Branch, is responsible for assessing these applications.

Inclusive and innovative services

Inclusive and innovative services

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day 2023 – Diversity, Inclusion, Respect

Held on 1 December, World AIDS Day is the longest-running awareness initiative of its kind. Since 1988, World AIDS Day and the iconic red ribbon raises awareness about issues surrounding HIV/AIDS and commemorates those lost to the pandemic. While fundraising is no longer a primary focus, funds raised for World AIDS Day across Queensland are donated to The HOPE Fund.

The 2023 national message for World AIDS Day was Inclusion, Equity, Respect. This message raised awareness of World AIDS Day, activities across Queensland, and challenged existing views of HIV and the stigma surrounding it, together with promoting prevention strategies mirroring the social media campaign.

QPP in partnership with Queensland Council for LGBTI Health (QC) and the Queensland World AIDS Day Alliance (QWADA), led by the HIV positive voice, developed curated messages to reflect the ongoing HIV response.

Our World AIDS Day awareness social media campaign reached over 310,000 people, with almost half a million impressions. This campaign featured a series of messages developed to raise awareness, inspire remembrance, and provide contextual health information about HIV. This campaign was delivered in language to people in Queensland, with messages provided in English, Portuguese, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, and Vietnamese.

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To accompany our social media campaign, our World AIDS Day awareness digital billboard and street media campaign had a total of approximately 101,000 views during HIV Awareness Week (79,000) and on World AIDS Day (22,000).

• A total of 47 boards/sites displayed the colourful creative during this period, right across Queensland. These locations included Brisbane City, Ascot, Cannon Hill, Carindale, Chermside, Highgate Hill, Herston, Fortitude Valley, Enoggera, Indooroopilly, Kangaroo Point, Alexandra Hills, Stafford, Milton, Windsor, Spring Hill, Woolloongabba, Burleigh, Southport, Maroochydore, Mackay, Townsville, Rockhampton, Ipswich, Bundaberg, Cairns, Gympie, Maryborough, Gladstone, Toowoomba, Emerald, Mount Isa, and Roma.
• A media pack with World AIDS Day messages including Wear the Red Ribbon, U=U, PrEP, HIV Support and Stigma & Discrimination was available in 5 languages for download.
• The Brisbane Candlelight Vigil, hosted by QC was held at Queensland Parliament and live streamed. QPP assisted QC by MC’ing the vigil, with QPP Board President Mark, and then QPP team member Riss giving emotive speeches.  The vigil was attended by more than 100 people, including Members of Parliament, community, and healthcare professionals. The live stream has been viewed by more than 500 people.
• The Cairns Vigil, held at the Cairns Esplanade, was attended by at least 50 community members, and was also attended by members of the QPP team who played important roles in the service.  
• Both candlelight vigils included a reading of lives lost to the HIV/AIDS epidemic commemorating those the community have honoured and remembered throughout the 40-year history, with both vigils offering opportunities for the community to gather afterwards.
• Many buildings and structures around the state were illuminated in red throughout World AIDS week and on World AIDS Day, with local councils and the Queensland Government again continuing their support.

QPP and QC worked collaboratively to implement and promote the Regional Grants Program. Eight World AIDS Day grants were awarded to community groups across regional Queensland, hosting 10 events for their communities. Through this program we were able to raise awareness and amplify the HIV positive voice through the following events:

• Toowoomba – Film screening, panel discussion and community luncheon- University of Southern Queensland supported by Inclusive Counselling Collective.
• Mackay – World AIDS Day Reflections, coffee meetup – Queensland Positive Peopl
• Bundaberg – World AIDS Day BBQ Lunch – Bundaberg Gays and Surrounds.
• Bundaberg – World AIDS Day & HIV Awareness Stall at Hinkler Shopping Centre – QClinic
• Townsville – World AIDS Day Remembrance and Walk – Townsville Sexual Health & QuIHN Townsville
• Townsville – World AIDS Day & HIV Awareness Stall at Townsville Hospital – Townsville Sexual Health Service
• Townsville – World AIDS Day Information Sessions and NSP Community Lunch – QuIHN Townsville
• Caloundra – World AIDS Day & HIV Awareness Stall and Morning Tea – Sunshine Coast Sexual Health Service
• Mt Isa – World AIDS Day Homeless Breakfast at Arthur Peterson Diversionary Centre – North West Hospital and Health Service
• Mt Isa – World AIDS Day & HIV Awareness Stall at Mt Isa Hospital – North West Hospital and Health Service

In addition to collaborating on the World AIDS Day Vigils and regional events, several other events were supported with in-kind assistance for promotion, resources, and organisation. These included:

• Brisbane – Workplace Red Ribbon Stalls – Silverchef & Cubic Transportation Systems
• Ipswich – World AIDS Day & HIV Awareness Stall at Ipswich Health Plaza – West Moreton Sexual Health & BBV
• Sunshine Coast – World AIDS Day Remembrance Luncheon – QC
• Brisbane – Brown Sugar presents Coachella in West End – QC
• Cairns – World AIDS Day & HIV Awareness Week – Cairns Sexual Health

HIV stigma campaign

Changing the conversation about HIV

In late 2022, with the support of Gilead Sciences, ViiV Healthcare, Queensland Health, and NAPWHA we contacted the Nick Deane from Wonderkarma to begin development on an incredible, bold, vibrant, and positive campaign to change the conversation about HIV, and make a real change to HIV stigma.

Launched at the Unity Vibes community event at the start of the IAS 2023 conference. The campaign ran for a two week period, on digital billboards with thanks to the amazing support of QMS Media and Zenith Media, on TV and radio thanks to Nine and SBS, in QNews, and in newspapers, and on social media and more. Thank you once again to our campaign ambassadors, whose stories you should explore. The campaign would be nothing without them. Post campaign analysis revealed that the campaign was extremely effective in changing opinions about the stigma around HIV and that was the goal.

The key research takeout was that the campaign was easy to understand and effective in communicating that HIV effects all types of people and they shouldn’t be discriminated against.

Reaching our community

Evolving how we communicate

This year we worked to evolve how we communicate to our PLHIV community and broader Queensland. With the global spotlight on Brisbane hosting IAS 2023 in July, we started the financial year with our now much acclaimed ‘Hi’ HIV Stigma Campaign on TV, radio, in print, and on digital and social media throughout Brisbane and beyond.  You can read more about that in our Campaign Report. This was QPP at its most public, inviting more people than ever to learn about who we are, what we do, and how vibrant our community is.

This evolution in the how we communicate reflects QPP itself and the community too.  Treatments have changed, people’s needs have changed, and what QPP offers the positive community has changed dramatically in our more than 30 years. In response to this evolution, we further incorporated ‘Live Well’ into how we communicate at QPP.  Live Well is more than a campaign, it speaks to what our purpose is at QPP, to help people live well with HIV, and how we want everyone who lives with HIV, regardless of who they are or where they are, to live well.

We created a series of materials, including the very popular posters and cards, and distributed those, together with materials from our ‘Hi’ campaign to Queensland sexual health services, s100 and high case load GP’s and ally organisations. If you would like a set for your business or organisation, you can order them at our QPP shop for free.

Naturally, we continued to connect with our community through our website, social media and in person events like the CWC Cabaret.

Our website continues to be incredibly popular, being accessed consistently by over 3,400 people per month, an increase of approximately 13% from last year, with many users being frequent visitors.

Key site information also continues to be used by Google and other search engines to answer questions related to HIV, PrEP, PEP and testing. Together with these topics, our new pages on Mpox, and the ‘Hi’ Campaign were some of the most popular.

Not only did we evolve how we promote QPP, we evolved how we promote RAPID too. To promote the service to old and new users, a digital campaign was created to promote RAPID for those within walking distance of RAPID, scheduled around when the clinic is open and able to accept walk in clients. This campaign, like it’s clients, was a little cheeky at times and equally as vibrant.  This artwork together with a collection of bespoke designs for the clinic itself, our Hi Campaign, and other health promotion assets is on rotation in the foyer and waiting room of RAPID thanks to some display screens donated by Wonderkarma. We thank them again for their generosity.

Our QPP Facebook reached 910,000 people, which was influenced by our investment in the ‘Hi’ campaign in the start of the year, but  maintained a steady growth of organic visitors through the year, with 124 net more followers, up almost 10% on 22-23, which was up 40% on the 21-22. If you aren’t already following us on Facebook, maybe it’s time you should.

Our revamped monthly events newsletter proved to be very popular, giving our members and community a reminder in their inbox about what they can get involved in at QPP.  If you aren’t receiving your copy in your inbox, let us know so we can add you to the list.

Through all these different methods, we continued the important work of educating our community around coming social events, research, volunteering opportunities, and acknowledging important days of significance like World AIDS Day.

Stigma and discrimination online training module

In early 2024, QPP received funding from Queensland Health to develop a stigma reduction module targeting several key groups, including healthcare workers (both public and private), Queensland Police, Queensland Corrective Services, and the Department of Public Prosecutions.

This module aims to reduce the stigma associated with blood-borne viruses, specifically HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. It was developed in close consultation with individuals who have lived experience of HIV and hepatitis, through the assistance of Hepatitis Queensland, and with input and expert reviews provided by a diverse project reference group. Building on the ‘Hi’ stigma reduction campaign launched in 2023, the module incorporates design elements created for that initiative.

Diversity, inclusion and belonging

Building a culturally competent organisation  

QPP is committed to ensuring a physically, culturally and psychologically safe organisation for all staff, clients and members of our communities.

The people living with HIV communities we serve, are more diverse than ever and in response to community needs, the QPP board and management team, have committed to taking the organisation on a journey to find best practice approaches on diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace. This commitment has also evolved from the changes brought in by the Human Rights legislation around equality of employment opportunity (EEO) and anti-discrimination.

This journey and commitment, requires an approach that seeks to embed and integrate inclusive cultures in our systems and practices. Consequently, QPP has committed to systemic change to create a more inclusive and diverse workplace culture, where every person can flourish. Critical to this, is the principle that inclusion and diversity is everyone’s responsibility at all levels of the organisation.

This is also strongly aligned with an emphasis on the values of QPP.

Diversity – Equity – Quality – Freedom – Empathy- Belonging

The wellbeing of a person and the degree to which they feel that they belong are intricately linked. Hence, QPP has taken the view, that a focus on wellbeing should also extend beyond individuals, to their teams and to support the overall health of the organisation. As a result, QPP has devised a staff and volunteer Health and Wellbeing Action Plan.

QPP acknowledges and respects Nigooli as the custodian of the cultural knowledge represented on the artwork featured above and in our Reconciliation Action Plan.

Incorporating wellbeing into the infrastructure of QPP work, recognises that the organisation views employees and volunteers as people who are connected to and contribute as part of their communities, and not just as employees.

The steps QPP has undertaken in the 2023-2024 year have included:

• Establishing a DI&B working group with representatives from all teams.
• Endorsement of Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) –Reflect.
• Human Rights – anti-discrimination training.
• Changes to recruitment policy and procedure to be more inclusive.
• Development of QPP health and wellbeing action plan.

The steps QPP will undertake in the next two years:

• Review of all QPP systems through the lens of anti-discrimination and inclusion practices.
• Develop a DI&B 5 year plan.
• Develop DI&B policy and procedures.
• Develop the next stage of the RAP – Innovate
• Undertake further training with Human Rights Commission across the organisation.
• Ensure workforce and leadership capability are designed to foster inclusion, equity and diversity.
• Leverage diverse views for improved service delivery design from community through the Community Advisory Group.
• Ensure safe and inclusive practices and a workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve.

Enhancing relationships

Enhancing relationships

IAS Conferences

Denied, Discriminated Against and Deported

During IAS2023 in Brisbane, QPP and NAPWHA hosted a global community forum under the banner of “ACT NOW on Global HIV Migration, Mobility and Health Equity”. This remarkable initiative reiterated our joint commitment to reshaping the landscape of health equity and dismantling barriers for people living with HIV around the world. You can watch forum highlights here.

To follow on the success and movement that this forum inspired, QPP in partnership with the HIV Justice Network, National Association of People with HIV Australia, and The Global Database on HIV specific travel and residence restrictions held a well-attended Global Village session at AIDS2024 conference in Munich “Denied, Discriminated Against and Deported”. In the Global Village the collective hosted a booth where film maker Nicholas Feustel captured stories of immigration experiences of people who live with HIV.

The session included keynote addresses from Melissa Warner, CEO of QPP, and David Haerry, Secretary General for the Swiss Academic Foundation on Education in Infectious Diseases.  The session then broke into groups, where attendees addressed important questions, shared stories of challenge and success, and helped each other and the broader positive community around ongoing advocacy work to further reduce and eliminate barriers to migration and mobility for people living with HIV. 

QPP at AIDS2024 Munich

As Mark mentioned in his Presidents report, a record number of abstracts were accepted to be presented on at AIDS2024 conference in Munich, Germany. With the assistance of IAS and NAPWHA scholarships, a small number of our QPP team were fortunate enough to travel to Germany to attend the conference. Held every two years, it’s the largest HIV related conference held globally.

The conference featured a Positive Lounge and HIV Science as Art, showing clear influences from the programme at IAS2023 in Brisbane. Our QPP team, together with fellow members of the Australian HIV sector played a highly visible and important role in the conference despite our small number compared to other nations. On top of QPP’s collaboration with Denied, Discriminated Against and Deported, our team members had their abstracts featured both online and in the poster display, were on stage participating on panels and as presenters, during conference itself and the Global Village.

On top of bringing the work QPP does to the global stage once again, our team attended as many sessions and connected with as many compatriots from the HIV global community, sharing knowledge, stories and skills. The direct access to so many sector leaders, policy makes, academics and community champions was a unique and powerful opportunity to have meaningful discussions about how to confront the ongoing challenges ahead in our HIV response.

Volunteers

Thank you to our wonderful volunteers 

State of the Nation

Community events

The CWC Cabaret – Betty Nature’s Lifetime Achievement

Membership

Become a QPP member

Best practice standards

Best practice standards

Peer and staff training

Staff training and professional development helps us better serve our community

Advocacy

HIV, human rights and the law

Supported research

QPP research activities

Strengthening funding

Strengthening funding

Positioning QPP for the future

Positioning QPP for the future

Where to from here?  

More from the year

More from the year

Tributes

Vale Phil Carswell

QPP Board, staff and friends were deeply saddened by the news of the passing of our honorary member Phil Carswell OAM this year, aged 70. Phil was a dear friend of our organisation and community, and a beacon of courage in our time. 

Before reaching 30, Phil had already distinguished himself as a committed educator, union advocate, journalist, socialist, and pioneer in gay liberation. In 1983, he assumed the role of convenor for the Victorian AIDS Action Committee, and in 1984, he became the inaugural President of the Victorian AIDS Council.

Phil’s leadership, both at the state and federal levels, was unparalleled and irreplaceable, as subsequent generations have come to realise. 

In recent years, he dedicated himself to writing an account of his experiences during the AIDS era, currently in the hands of a publisher. While he received the Order of Australia Medal in 2015, he cherished even more his lifelong membership in his union, Queensland Together.

Throughout his journey, he was steadfastly supported by his partner Ian of nearly 40 years, whom he married on Stonewall Day in 2013 in New York.

We are very grateful to have had Phil with us and will miss him dearly. 

Service to our community

Acknowledging Luke Coffey 

In June, Luke Coffey our RAPID Program Manager took a new and exciting leadership role within Metro North Health, who are so lucky to have him. We are incredibly proud and excited for Luke as he embarks on this new journey and next chapter in his career. 

Luke started his journey with RAPID, like many of our RAPID team have, as a client, then recognising the value early of the peer program to the community, became a volunteer, then a peer tester, and quickly stepped into the role as team leader, and then finally program manager.

During Luke’s time at RAPID, his unique background of microbiology and finance was an enormous asset to evolving RAPID to the service it is today.

During his more than 7 years of service, much of this time under his leadership, RAPID’s occasions of service grew from a healthy 2,043 in 2017 to a sector changing 7,840 in 2024.

His passionate commitment to quality services, and strong work ethic not only helped RAPID evolve to the service it is now, but grew its reputation within many facets of the health system. It was not all that long ago that many in the HIV and sexual health clinical and community sector were absolutely outraged that QPP should offer HIV point of care testing at all, let alone by peers. Luke’s professionalism, which he inspired his team with, together with his deep understanding of the science, gave the naysayers confidence that the peer model not only can work, but serves a critical role in Queensland and Australia’s HIV response.

Luke was an integral part of the QPP team, contributing immensely to our success and growth. His dedication, hard work, and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on our organisation. Whether he was tackling complex issues or projects, or navigating financial management or strategic opportunities, Luke showed an insatiable appetite to do whatever it takes, and a real knack for finding innovative solutions.

QPP thanks Luke for everything he has done for us. His contributions have been invaluable, and he will always be a cherished part of our team. We wish Luke all the success and happiness in his new role, and we look forward to hearing about his future achievements.

Acknowledgements

Some of the many people and organisations we would like to thank

Financial Statements