CANBERRA business person and community leader John Mackay will provide support to Canberrans and their families living with HIV/AIDS as the inaugural Patron of the ACT AIDS Action Council.
Council CEO Philippa Moss said today that the Council was very proud and delighted to have such an accomplished, experienced and well-connected person as its Patron.
“John has already made a huge contribution to Canberra through a successful career in business and public administration and we are so happy that he has agreed to be our Patron,” Philippa said.
“John has occupied some of Canberra’s highest-profile jobs in the City over the past 20 years, including Chancellor of the University of Canberra and CEO/Chairman of ActewAGL. He is currently a Director on the boards of the Canberra Investment Corporation Pty Ltd, Little Company of Mary Healthcare, Speedcast International, DataPod Pty Ltd and the Canberra Raiders.
“This year has already been massive for the Council with many exciting projects underway, a move to our new offices and a rebranding of our organisation.
“We will be so pleased to welcome John as our patron at our Annual General Meeting this Wednesday 11 November as the next step in our growth as a stronger organisation which works with the community to promote safe sex and reduce transmission of HIV.”
John Mackay said he was very pleased to be given the opportunity to make a difference as Patron of the Council.
“The Council does a great job caring for and supporting people living with HIV and helps to reduce discrimination by increasing the community’s understanding of HIV, and I will be proud to help them as their Patron,” John said.
“Part of my own understanding of HIV and AIDS issues has been through the prism of experiencing the death of two of my younger brothers – David and Stephen – who died of AIDS within six weeks of each other in the late 1980s.
“My brother was one of the first ten people in Australia diagnosed, so it was seen as a punishment from God for taking drugs or being homosexual.
“Unfortunately while society’s views may have progressed since in many areas, people with HIV and AIDS and their families and carers still face discrimination, so part of my responsibilities as Patron will be to reduce that discrimination and increase awareness.”
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