Celebrating Community Champions 2022

Recognising inspiring action
and unsung supporters in HIV

Last year, NAPWHA and Gilead launched the 2021 Community Champions aimed at finding and celebrating the unsung heroes supporting the HIV sector in Australia.

In 2022, we’re again looking for those individuals working behind the scenes in HIV healthcare or support services for people living with HIV, those working in research or education, or the countless allies or advocates helping to better educate others on HIV or break down stigma.

Last year, we received nominations from across Australia and although all are Community Champions doing exceptional things to support people living with HIV in Australia, we could only celebrate five recipients.

Our Champion stories will be brought to life through video, imagery and words and launched at a World AIDS Day event on Friday 25 November 2022. They will be shared across social media channels to help raise awareness of HIV, address stigma and recognise the needs of people living with HIV in 2022.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL YOUR INSPIRING STORIES. GET YOUR NOMINATION IN BEFORE THE 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 DEADLINE.

Deadline extended to Friday 7 October

Why is it important to celebrate
the Community Champions?

There are currently an estimated 29,000 people living with HIV in Australia and with continued improvements in treatment and support for people living with HIV and focus on prevention through PrEP and U=U, the trend over the last five years has seen a decline in new notifications.[1]

There is however still more we need to do to ensure we get to zero new transmissions in Australia, particularly in those higher risk groups such as our indigenous and migrant communities and to help all people living with HIV in Australia to live their best life.

Celebrating the Community Champions showcases some of the incredible success stories in our HIV response and help ensure the focus and momentum on HIV remains.

[1] AFAO. HIV in Australia 2021. Available at; https://www.afao.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/HIV-in-Australia-2021.pdf. Last accessed November 2021.