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There’s been a lot going on at the VAC/GMHC and the water cooler has never seen so
much action.

Halloween is around the corner, which means by the time you’ve put your pumpkin away it’ll be time to put up the Christmas decorations. There’ll be an office Christmas party soon and I’ve pre-ordered several bushels of mistletoe just in case.

Just after Halloween and before Santa comes to town we have one of the busiest times of the year — World AIDS Day and AIDS Awareness Week.

Just recently we started inviting various community groups to help us on World AIDS Day by giving away red ribbons in the Melbourne CBD. Once upon a time we charged $2 for these ribbons but thanks to the generosity of VIIV Healthcare, now we give them away for free. Giving away red ribbons is all about raising awareness of HIV/AIDS.

We are still looking for kind-hearted people with friendly faces who can join us in raising awareness on December 1. If you can spare two hours, we’d love to hear from you. There will be a big thank you in Federation Square at 3pm for everyone involved on the day.

Come on your own or do it with a friend — we really need the help!

Maybe you work somewhere that would be happy to display one of our honesty boxes.

This year we have various World AIDS Day merchandise items for sale including a snazzy red or white wristband and also a message pen.

No hard selling required — they can simply be left at your front desk for clients and the like to purchase. We send everything out to you, then you sell what you can and return what you didn’t — easy, really.

A very important reminder: a memorial service will be held at the Positive Living Centre in South Yarra on World AIDS Day. I’ll let you know more about the details next time we chat but keep it in your diary. It is a very special evening.

For more details on any of our AIDS Awareness events, please email [email protected]

If you are interested in volunteering on World AIDS Day, please email [email protected]

You can also visit our website for more information on the work of the VAC:

Look forward to hearing from you!

INFO: Michael Dalton is the fundraising coordinator of the Victorian AIDS Council.