今日吃瓜

The appointment of Michael Woodhouse as the Chief Executive Officer of ACON in September 2024 marked both a homecoming and a fresh beginning.听

With over two decades of leadership in health and human services, Woodhouse鈥檚 career has spanned primary healthcare, disability support, aged care, child and family services, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion strategies.听

But for those who know him, his appointment is more than a mere professional milestone鈥攈im becoming ACON鈥檚 head honcho is almost a moment of deeply positive poetic justice, a return to an organisation that has been central to his life’s work.

ACON, , stands on the precipice of its 40th anniversary this year.

At its helm, Woodhouse brings not only experience but also an unshakable belief in the power of community-led services.听

“ACON knows who its people are,” he tells Star Observer. “And that is what makes it so special. It listens, adapts, and leads. I鈥檓 proud to be back.”

A passionate advocate for community health

From the very beginning of his career, Woodhouse always demonstrated a talent, finesse, and skill with policy, service delivery, and community impact.听

He previously served as ACON鈥檚 Director of Community Health in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and was instrumental in shaping health policies that responded to the HIV epidemic. It was during this time that he saw firsthand the resilience of the LGBTQIA+ community, particularly in how it mobilised during the HIV/AIDS crisis.

鈥淚 remember when AIDS first arrived in Australia. It was terrifying,鈥� Woodhouse recalls. 鈥淏ut what stood out to me was how the community came together. People educated themselves, supported each other, and demanded change. That kind of activism and unity is something I鈥檝e carried with me throughout my career.鈥�

Since then, medical advancements, such as PrEP and rapid testing, have transformed HIV prevention and treatment.听

Still, Woodhouse recognises that there鈥檚 significant work ahead. 鈥淲e鈥檝e come so far, but the last mile鈥攅nsuring everyone in our community has equal access to prevention and treatment鈥攚ill be the hardest,鈥� he says.听

鈥淭hat鈥檚 where ACON will continue to lead.鈥�

Michael Woodhouse: the man who saved Mardi Gras

Beyond his work in health services, Woodhouse is also celebrated for his role in saving the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras from financial collapse in the early 2000s 鈥� Star Observer profiled it in 2008.听

Following the 2002 Gay Games, the organisation was in dire straits financially鈥� it entered receivership and was facing potential cancellation.

鈥淭here was a moment where there was no Mardi Gras. It was gone,鈥� Woodhouse recounts. 鈥淎nd that just didn鈥檛 sit right with so many of us.鈥�

Determined not to lose one of the most significant LGBTQIA+ events in the world, Woodhouse and a group of community leaders stepped in to form a new board. Working tirelessly as volunteers, they rebuilt the festival under the name New Mardi Gras, ensuring that the iconic parade and celebrations continued.

鈥淚t was one of the most incredible experiences of my life,鈥� he told Star Observer in 2024. 鈥淲e started with just a handful of people in a room, and by parade season, there were hundreds of volunteers all working together. It showed me just how much Mardi Gras meant to our community鈥攏ot just as a party, but as a movement.鈥�

In recognition of his efforts, Woodhouse was inducted into the Mardi Gras Hall of Fame in 2023, a testament to his monumental work and the impact his unwavering efforts had for our LGBTQIA+ community.

Michael Woodhouse is leading ACON into its next chapter

With ACON鈥檚 40th anniversary on the horizon this year, Woodhouse sees the milestone as both a moment of reflection and an opportunity to chart the future.听

鈥淭his organisation was built by the community, for the community. It鈥檚 our job now to ensure it continues to evolve and meet the needs of all LGBTQIA+ people,鈥� Woodhouse tells us proudly.

Among his top priorities is expanding ACON鈥檚 work in transgender and gender-diverse health. 鈥淭he visibility of non-binary and trans people has increased dramatically, and rightly so. But with that visibility comes a need for greater healthcare access,鈥� he explains. 鈥淲e鈥檙e still far from a system that provides gender-affirming care in the way that people deserve.鈥�

To address this, ACON launched Kaleido Health Centre, a new primary health service specifically for LGBTQIA+ people.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 about setting a standard,鈥� Woodhouse says. 鈥淜aleido will be a place where people can feel safe, respected, and properly cared for鈥攕omething that should be the norm everywhere.鈥�

Additionally, he is passionate about strengthening ACON鈥檚 work in inclusion across industries, from sport to corporate workplaces.听

鈥淚t鈥檚 one thing to have a seat at the table, but we need to make sure the table is genuinely inclusive,鈥� he tells Star. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why programs like Pride in Sport and Pride in Diversity matter. They create meaningful, lasting change.鈥�

The importance of a leader who listens

As CEO, Woodhouse describes his leadership style as collaborative. 鈥淚 see my role as creating an environment where our team and volunteers can do their best work,鈥� he says. 鈥淭he people who work at ACON are deeply passionate, and my job is to make sure they have the support and resources they need to make an impact.鈥�

He acknowledges that while ACON has achieved great milestones, challenges remain鈥攑articularly in mental health, substance use support, and addressing systemic barriers to healthcare.听

鈥淥ur communities still face higher rates of mental health challenges. We still need more targeted cancer prevention initiatives. There鈥檚 more work to be done in ensuring LGBTQIA+ people in rural and regional areas have access to services,鈥� he notes. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why we have to keep pushing forward.鈥�

ACON and Woodhouse are looking to the future

Woodhouse鈥檚 vision for ACON is ambitious but grounded in the values that have guided the organisation for 40 years.听

鈥�ACON exists to ensure our communities thrive. That鈥檚 what drives me,鈥� he says. 鈥淎nd as long as there鈥檚 work to do, we鈥檒l be here, leading the way.鈥�

His return to ACON is a continuation of a lifelong commitment to service, advocacy, and the belief that strong communities create lasting change.听

As ACON steps into its next decade, there is no doubt that with Michael Woodhouse at the helm, its legacy鈥攁nd future鈥攁re in safe hands.