World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It raises awareness across the world and in the community about HIV and AIDS. It is a day for the community to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died of AIDS-related conditions or other conditions associated with HIV.
The national World AIDS Day theme for Australia in 2018 is “Everybody Counts“.
On Friday 30th November 2018, Inala Community House Community Engagement team celebrated World AIDS Day by co-organising a Red Ribbon Carpark BBQ with community partners Inala Addiction Services (Metro South Health) and Queensland World AIDS Day Alliance (QWADA). We also invited Inala Indigenous Health Service and Hepatitis Queensland which provided free testing for hepatitis c.
We aimed to raise HIV/AIDS awareness, provide health information and promote a community free from stigma and discrimination.
From 11am to 1pm, we welcomed everyone to join us at the free community event at Inala Community Health Centre (64 Wirraway Parade, Inala).
Inala Community House Manager Haley Kiata and Coordinator Larissa Vaiomanu helped to prepare, cook and serve free lunch to the public.
All attendees got to enjoy a free healthy lunch wrap of either meat or vegetarian. We also prepared various fruit desserts which were refreshing on a hot day.
Red awareness ribbons were supplied for all to be worn – as the international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness and support.
Thank you to our TAFE students in community services for volunteering at the event.
We provided useful HIV/AIDS fact sheets and various free awareness goodies like fridge magnets, books and safe sex devices. Participants were encouraged to take a short quiz and then receive answers and further explanation if needed.
Goodie bags were also given out containing basic health supplies. We also ran a lucky draw competition which drew great interest.
Inala Community House team with our community partners.
“This marks the sixth year of this wonderful annual free community event. Thank you and we love community collaborations to better raise health awareness and serve the community together,” said our Community Engagement Manager Haley Kiata.
Show your support for people with HIV on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon, talking to a friend and learning important information about HIV and AIDS: http://www.worldaidsday.org.au/internet/wad/publishing.nsf/Content/get-the-facts-1
You can contact Inala Community House: 3372 1711 | info@ich.org.au | www.ich.org.au | www.Facebook.com/ICHAustralia | 38 Sittella Street, Inala QLD 4077