Anwernekenhe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Alliance
 On Tuesday November 4, 2008 the inaugural Anwernekenhe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Alliance ANA)Annual General Meeting took place in Alice Springs. The AGM heralds an historic moment, representing 14 years to the day (November 4, 1994) that the Anwernekenhe 1 conference concluded at Hamilton Downs, just outside of Alice Springs.
Anwernekenhe 1 was considered an historic moment itself, bringing together for the very first time 66 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander gay men and sistergirls to discuss and progress issues and concerns related to HIV/AIDS and sexual health. The Anwernekenhe 1 conference resulted in 45 recommendations that have directly contributed to:
the establishment of the AFAO National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Project at AFAO; a growth from 2 to 17 AIDS Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identified positions; and successive Anwernekenhe conferences 2, 3 and 4, with Anwernekenhe 4 witnessing the much anticipated inclusion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
These events have all contributed to the foundation blocks of the newly established Anwernekenhe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Alliance (ANA). Since 1994 the members of a succession of groups have worked towarrds the formation of ANA:
the Anwernekenhe 1 Working Party the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Gay and Transgender Steering Committee the Indigenous Strategic Alliance; and most recently the Anwernekenhe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander HIV/AIDS Alliance Transitional Committee.
All past members of these committees should be extremely proud of their many contributions to the establishment of the ANA. The ANA Transitional Committee in particular has been working hard for the past 12 months on developing the ANA Constitution, aims and objectives, the new ANA committee structure and work leading to the implementation of the AGM.
The new ANA committee consists of 12 positions including the following individuals and organisations:
| Name |
Role |
Representing |
| Colin Ross |
Chair |
Gay Male Committee Member |
| Vacant |
Secretary |
|
| Michelle Tobin |
Treasurer |
HIV Positive Committee Member |
| Wilo Muwadda |
|
Founding Member - PATSIN |
| Michael Costello |
|
Founding Member - AFAO |
| Vacant |
|
Founding Member - Meriba Dhoeynidhay Yabu District Health Community Council - Torres Strait Islands |
| Neville Fazulla |
|
Individual Committee Member |
| Vacant |
|
Sistergirl Committee Member |
| Gail Jones |
|
Female Committee Member |
| Vacant |
|
Gar'ban'djee'lum Organisational Member 1 |
| Simon O'Connor |
|
Organisational Member 2 |
| Michelle Sparks |
|
ACON Organisational Member 3 |
The ANA committee is structured as follows:
3 Founding Members 3 Organisational Members 5 Individual Members
There is no denying that this monumental achievement has many challenges ahead that will require dedicated and wholehearted support right through from the community to the Federal Government. However the new ANA committee has hit the ground running, establishing an 18 month work plan on day two of the AGM. The ANA was endorsed as the 12th member of AFAO at AFAO's April 2008 General Meeting.
Last Updated 14 January 2010
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