Announcing Community Champions 2025

Ron is a social worker, researcher and long-time advocate for older people living with HIV. His work has shaped national conversations on ageing, community and
inclusion. Through NAPWHA’s Bolder Online program, he continues to bring people together.

Ron believes in staying engaged, showing up and contributing whatever you can.

For him, community grows stronger when we use our skills and lived experience to support one another.

As a peer worker and case manager at WAAC, Charlie supports people living with HIV with empathy, calmness and care. He knows how isolating HIV can feel and how powerful it is to meet someone who understands.

That’s why he builds safe, welcoming spaces where people can connect, share openly and feel less alone. For Charlie, tackling loneliness and creating community sits at the very heart of peer support.

Every day, people like Charlie strengthen connection across HIV communities. 

Born and raised in Nepal and now calling Melbourne home, Babi is a proud transgender woman and community leader who turns lived experience into support for others.

In her own words, “Silence is not an option.” Babi continues to speak up for people living with HIV, reminding us that no matter where we come from or who we are, we all deserve safety, dignity and belonging. Her message is simple and powerful: you are seen and you belong here.

Every day, people like Babi are creating stronger, more inclusive HIV communities. 

Helen brings insight, warmth and resilience to her work as a Peer Navigator with Queensland Positive People. She sees the impact of peer support every day. The hard work, the “never give up” attitude and the real change that happens when people living with HIV walk beside one another.

Helen believes advocacy matters and she’s hopeful about the future of HIV support in Australia. In her words, HIV organisations are doing meaningful work and she’s proud to be part of that progress.

Every day, people like Helen strengthen and uplift HIV communities. 

Dr McCabe has supported people living with HIV for more than three decades, but one early experience set the direction of his career. It made him realise that if he could do anything to help this cohort, he would and it led him to pursue medicine and eventually become an HIV GP.

That moment has stayed with him, shaping his commitment to person centred care and to working alongside people living with HIV throughout their care journey.

People like Dr McCabe help build a more compassionate and inclusive future for HIV care.