AIDS Garden of Reflection opens in Canberra
Image: Photo: National Arboretum Canberra / Facebook.
THE聽National Arboretum Canberra has opened a new 500鈥搒quare metre AIDS Garden of Reflection.
Part of a series of seven connected gardens, it serves as a permanent space for people to remember and pay tribute to loved ones who have lost their lives to AIDS.
National Arboretum volunteer Kenn Basham, who has been living with HIV since 1986, said the new garden is a reminder that HIV and AIDS still affect the community.
鈥淓veryone has to realise they are affected, it is a community thing,鈥� he said.
鈥淗IV is always going to be with us, but it is up to us to live the best life we can with it, whether it鈥檚 infected or affected.鈥�
The AIDS Action Council raised $170,000 to build the garden. Executive Director Philippa Moss said the organisation is aiming to raise further funds to add a piece of art to the space.
Over 25,000 people are estimated to be living with HIV in Australia.
Basham said the new garden is a physical reminder for people affected by HIV.
鈥淸It鈥檚] somewhere was can point to and say to people, 鈥榊ou can go there for this person, for remembering or thinking or crying or whatever you need to do鈥�,鈥� he said.
