Church Endorsement/Catholic Social Services Victoria
The Episcopal Vicar for Social Welfare for the archdiocese of
Melbourne, the Very Rev. Fr. Kevin Mogg, wrote the following to
Brian Haill, as the founder/president of The Australian AIDS Fund
Inc:-
"I am very aware that you have made an enormous personal
contribution to the ongoing (supported accommodation) operations
of San Michel and Rosehaven and that it is through your vision
that these unique services to people living with HIV and AIDS
came into being.
"This awareness makes us all the more committed at Catholic
Social Services to support the continuance of their valuable work
within the church.... all we have spoken to are determined to
maintain the values and mission that makes San Michel and Rosehaven
such an important part of the Catholic response to HIV and AIDS....
Thank you for your enormous efforts in assisting the Catholic
Church of Melbourne to respond in a constructive and humane way
to the reality of those vulnerable people in our midst who are
living with HIV and AIDS"
Despite CSSV's written undertaking to continue the San
Michel and Rosehaven services in hand with the Department of Human
Services when insufficient funds and politicking saw them closed
in 2002, the archdiocese has limited itself to only a part-time
HIV advice service at a secret address in East Melbourne with
an unpublicised phone number.
Government testimonial
The following testimonial to the supported accommodation programs
of the AAFI was issued by the Department of Human Services, Victoria.
"...take this opportunity to thank the Board
of The Australian AIDS Fund Inc. for the diligence and effort
involved in providing the services of San Michel and Rosehaven
over the fourteen years since establishment. The service has been
central in providing support to people living with HIV/AIDS in
Victoria."
Schools AIDS Day 2005 and beyond.....a message for all schools
- Australia-wide!
Now in its 7th year! Traditionally, it's observed on the school
day closest to July 17, the birthday of Eve van Grafhorst, whose
memory it celebrates. But It's a "moveable feast" according
to local needs and requirements. Usually, it takes the form of
an optional dress day in return for a gold coin.
As Catholic Education Office Director, Fr Tom Doyle, said in
Melbourne on Schools AIDS Day in July 2000 "It's important
to remember how lucky most of us are compared to those ....who
have illnesses like HIV/AIDS ..sentiments subsequently echoed
by archbishops Pell and Hart in their endorsements. And as the
present Director, Susan Pascoe subsequently added: "...hopefully
more..schools....will recognise this important initiative."
Keeping the Focus on AIDS
The annual School AIDS Day was commemorated at Our Lady
of Mercy College (OLMC) in Heidelberg on August 11. Staff
and students gathered in the school hall for the hour-long
ceremony, with representatives of other Catholic schools
in attendance.
Focusing on women and girls who have HIV/AIDS, the ceremony
included songs and a liturgical dance performed by students,
Delia Lucca and Abby Telgenkamp.
College captain Yara Abo introduced the guest speaker,
Alicia Ross, whose mother and sister both died of the deadly
disease. Alicia is a past student of Avila College in Mount
Waverley.
The final prayer was delivered by student Stephanie Martis,
who said, “Lord help us to accept the challenge of
HIV/AIDS. As we return to our schools and communities, help
us to be enlightened by the knowledge we have about this
disease and lead us to communicate what we know to others,
encouraging tolerance and understanding and taking action
to support people in need”.
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Mary Tobin presents a plaque to Julie Ryan
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Mary Tobin, Manager, Student Wellbeing at the Catholic Education
Office, Melbourne presented OLMC principal Julie Ryan with
a plaque as a thank you for holding the service.
Catholic school students could buy a red ribbon on the
day through a gold coin donation with proceeds going to
Catholic AIDS Ministry.
(AAFI note: Sadly, despite the focus being on women and
girls, the original focus on the young Aussie girl..Eve
van Grafhorst..has gone missing. You can find it at hyperlink
www.aids.net.au/school-intro.htm
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Please visit the Introduction area
of our Schools AIDS Day page.
You can also check out our pictorial
report on The Australian School we have built in Malawi, Africa.
You're invited to help.
This is an Australia-wide invitation to all schools.
Donations can be sent to:
The Australian AIDS Fund Inc.,
PO Box 1347,
Frankston, Victoria, 3199, Australia
Email: bhaill@bigpond.net.au
To read more about our work, in Australia and abroad,
visit the About Us >> Our Services
page
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