Hello everyone. I am an organisational board member for Anwernekenhe National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Alliance (ANA). I live in Darwin my hometown and work for the Northern Territory Aids and Hepatitis Council (NTAHC). I represent this organisation and its clients on the ANA Board.

I have been working for NTAHC for almost two years now as the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (ATSI) Project Officer. We offer culturally appropriate information, support, education and referral on the following business areas. Anyone who is ATSI living with a blood borne virus (BBV) like HIV and Hepatitis C, We also work with ATSI mob on sexual health and STI’s, We also provide education, support and referral for ATSI mob who inject drugs and the final area is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender or Sistergirls.

With this last group we also offer an annual retreat for Sistergirls, Gay men, Lesbian women and bi sexual people. As mentioned we run this retreat each year and it is an opportunity for this group to come together from all over the NT to take part in a weekend that is free from alcohol and drugs. The retreat is free from violence and discrimination. We offer a weekend away with all expenses paid and fun workshops designed to inform participants on a range of issues. It is also a chance to meet others, make new friends and a chance for this group to tell us what they want from our program.

I am very passionate about this work I do and as such took the opportunity to sit on the ANA board to gain a National perspective on HIV. I look forward to working hard with this group to make Anwernekenhe 5 the best conference so far.