History

We're still working on this page and hope to add pictures, flesh out the details already listed here and add new material. If you've got a story about Positive Life SA's History or any information to add we'd love to hear from you. You can do so by sending an email to reception@hivsa.org.au.

1994

• PLWHA (SA) with advocacy & lobbying situated at the back of ACSA
• PLC also situated at ACSA

1995

• An incorporation forum was held 10th April in which the first committee was elected
• PLWHA (SA) incorporated April 26th
• A forum was held May 8th to actively seek representation on Government task force, ACSA & NAPWA
• High death rate reported from HIV/AIDS
• 6th November saw the common seal used for the lease of premises at 180A Gray St Adelaide to give the association an independent location
• Transfer of Management of Positive Speakers Bureau 20th November

1996

• Training began for new positive Speakers and volunteers for the 1800 peer support line
• April saw the start of the 1800 peer support line
• PLWHA (SA) celebrated its 1st birthday on 1st May at ADAC
• A forum held in May focusing on the relocation of the PLC
• June 25th Public meeting @ Richmond Hotel with the decision to split from ACSA
• The current format of Positively Talking started bi-monthly editions
• PLWHA (SA) employ their first paid staff
• Alan Sulley was Convenor & Shaun McCausland was Alternate Convenor and Secretary

1997

• After being launched & dedicated by the Honourable Don Dunstan, PLWHA (SA) began operations on the 1st April @ Rosemont, Kensington Rd Norwood
• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 2nd B/day
• Dennis Cook was Centre Coordinator
• Rosemont Advisory Committee formed
• Alan Sulley was Convenor & John McKenna was Alternate Convenor

1998

• PLWHA (SA) changed from being a Committee to a Board of Management
• PLWHA (SA) ceased the 1800 info line due to the development of a national 1800 HIV Health Information line
• February saw PLWHA (SA) become involved with the Family Camp
• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 3d B/day
• 16th October- PLC ceased operations @ Rosemont
• 19th October- PLC began operations @ Glandore
• As of June, Julian Nicholls was President & John McKenna was Vice-President

1999

• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 4th B/day
• Suzi Quixley facilitated & produced the development review- "Name It, Own It, Deal With It and Move On" completed October
• For the first time in Australian HIV history PLWHA (SA) had its first indigenous President- Rodney Junga Williams & its first indigenous Centre Coordinator (Neville Fazulla) at the same time. Katherine Leane was Vice-President
• Rodney Junga Williams departs the org and Shaun McCausland becomes President
• Neville Fazulla resigns as Centre Coordinator
• Employment of Damien Dempsey as Volunteers' Coordinator

2000

• Negotiations with the funding body see an increase in funding so that PLWHA (SA) can employ a Manager instead of a Coordinator, Mary Anne Lovejoy was employed as Manager in April
• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 5th B/day
• Clean needle program started at the PLC
• A review of the Transport service began
• As of June Shaun McCausland was President & Katherine Leane was Vice-President

2001

• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 6th B/day
• Shaun McCausland left his role as President & Steve Asher became Acting President. After resigning, Tony Minge filled the role of Acting President. David Vermeeren became Acting Vice-President

2002

• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 7th B/day
• Steve Asher took on the official role as president & Tony Minge as Vice-President. At the November elections David Vermeeren was President & Tony Minge as Vice-President

2003

• PLWHA (SA) receives a $7000 grant from ANET to produce its first Strategic Plan
• Pilot program the HIVE food store begins its 1 year trial with funds from ACSA & infrastructure from PLWHA (SA)
• March 30th PLWHA (SA) employed Chris Browne as Manager (Again?)
• May saw the departure of David Vermeeren as President, Tony Minge became Acting President & Katherine Leane became Acting Vice-President
• PLWHA (SA) 8th Birthday
• At the November elections Tony Minge was the official President & Katherine Leane as the official Vice-President

2004

• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 9th B/day
• The introduction of 3 Board Portfolios- Advocacy, Fundraising & Media (Pos Talk)
• The HIVE began operating in February
• September noted the signing of an MOU between PLWHA (SA) & ACSA
• At the November elections Tony Minge was President & Katherine Leane as Vice-President

2005

• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 10th B/day
• Adelaide hosts NAPWA conference- Our Place, Your Place- In the Bigger Picture
• NAPWA Declaration of Rights launched at Adelaide conference
• At the November elections Tony Minge was President & Katherine Leane as Vice-President
• Chris Browne resigns as Manager

2006

• PLWHA (SA) B/day fundraiser 26th Feb
• PLWHA (SA) celebrates its 11th B/day
• Extensive workshops begin for updating the Strategic Plan
• Ex-President Shaun McCausland dies in March
• Retreat held April 7th to 10th
• Madeleine Pattingale appointed as new Manager
• PSB wins Community Service award & Tony Minge wins the Leadership award at the GALA's
• New logo designs presented at AGM for consultation
• At the November elections Tony Minge was President & Katherine Leane as Vice-President
• Board induction manual is instituted

2007

• Formation of Poz Het group
• Workshops continue to finalise updated Strategic Plan
• Birthday fundraising Cabaret 11th Feb
• Workshop starts for updating the constitution
• PLWHA (SA) celebrates its 12th B/day
• The HIVE wins the GALA award for outstanding community support & Desi d'Orsay Lawrence wins an award in the Care & Support category
• 1st August PLWHA (SA) launched its very first logo alongside the launch of the 2007/2010 Strategic Plan.
• At the November elections Tony Minge was President & Katherine Leane as Vice-President

2008

• The HIVE celebrates its 5 year anniversary
• February retreat at Aldinga
• Young Poz gays support group begins in March
• PLWHA (SA) celebrates its 13th B/day
• April, May & June the Board does extensive workshops to make changes to the constitution
• PLWHA (SA) instigates a forum re: advocacy action with disclosure of HIV to sexual partners
• PSB handbook is launched in September
• New constitution is adopted on Tuesday 30th September
• At the November elections Tony Minge was President & Katherine Leane as Vice-President

2009

• PLWHA (SA) celebrates 14th B/day
• No Interest Loan Scheme launched
• Community tools library begins operation
• PLWHA (SA) enters into a new Government contract to become a Health Promotion orientated organisation, resulting a restructure of staff.
• An updated Strategic Plan is in its infancy to complement the new contract
• At the November elections Tony Minge was president and Katherine Leane as Vice President

2010

• Madeleine Pattingale leaves the Manager position
• Rob OBrien employed as Acting Executive Officer and later pernanently appointed to the position
• 24th August 2010 a Special General Meeting is held to update the constitution and members vote to change the organisation name to Positive Life SA