News + Updates - Positive Women Victoria

Media + Events

Peer Support Role Vacancy with Positive Women Victoria

Posted on 19th of May 2022

Peer Support Role Vacancy After seven dedicated years, Heather Mugwagwa, well-known to many members and clients, will be finishing up with PWV. We’ll miss Heather, and are in awe of her amazing contribution to the organisation, which has transformed PWV…

Positive Women Victoria signatory on Joint Statement: We support inclusion, dignity and respect for all women

Posted on 12th of May 2022

We all deserve dignity, respect and the freedom to be ourselves. Together, we can create a future where we are all free to thrive, and support each other — regardless of our genders, the colour of our skin, or where…

Financial Wellbeing Webinar – WATCH THE RECORDING

Posted on 12th of May 2022

Learn how to access financial support services and grants, manage debts and nurture your financial wellbeing in this webinar hosted by Positive Women Victoria. Guest speaker Lynda Horn, a Financial Counsellor with Thorne Harbour Health outlines what services and grants…

HIV FUTURES 10 SURVEY – EXTENDED FOR WOMEN

Posted on 3rd of May 2022

HIV FUTURES 10 – EXTENDED FOR WOMEN If you have not yet done the HIV Futures 10 survey, please consider doing this important anonymous Australian national survey for all people living with HIV. This year has seen a lower number…

Peers translate HIV health research into ‘plain speak’ on TikTok

Posted on 21st of April 2022

Three HIV advocates were recruited to translate a HIV research paper focused on person-centred care for a ground-breaking Knowledge Translation (KT) project that paves the way to improve understanding of health information amongst the HIV community. Internationally, KT is a…

Financial Wellbeing Webinar – Wednesday, 4 May – 7pm to 8pm

Posted on 20th of April 2022

Financial Wellbeing Webinar – via Zoom online – Wednesday, 4 May – 7pm to 8pm AEST If you want to learn more about how to access financial support services and grants, manage debts and nurture your financial wellbeing, this free…

Living Well – theme for 2022 National Day of Women Living with HIV

Posted on 9th of March 2022

“Living well means to me, being accepted as I am. For not what I’ve got, but for me as a person.” Each year, on March 9th, the National Network of Women Living with HIV celebrate the lives of women with HIV in…

Positive Women’s voices heard for International Women’s Day

Posted on 8th of March 2022

More Stories, Less Stigma: Sharing the stories of positive women for 2022 International Women’s Day on 8 March and on the National Day of Women Living with HIV on 9 March. This year, we’re revisiting some of the amazing stories…

National Day of Women Living With HIV – 9 March 2022

Posted on 22nd of February 2022

Share your words on ‘Living Well’ – Wednesday, 9 March 2022 Join us to celebrate the 7th National Day of Women Living with HIV on 9th March. The theme this year is ‘Living Well’. If you are a woman living…

PLHIV Stigma Index Academy in Asia Pacific

Posted on 22nd of February 2022

Women living with HIV encouraged to join Women living with HIV from Asia Pacific region are invited to be involved in setting up a virtual learning space for the community of people living with HIV to build a movement towards…

Reaching Your Potential: A Confidence and Skills Building Course for Women Living with HIV who want to contribute to the HIV response

Posted on 9th of February 2022

Positive Women Victoria is excited to have received support from ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action Community Grants to run a unique program of events to support women who live with HIV to reach their potential. Women living with HIV support each…

12th International Workshop on HIV and Women 2022

Posted on 18th of January 2022

FROM ADOLESCENCE TO MENOPAUSE – virtual meeting 6-8 April 2022 The International Workshop on HIV & Women has completed its 11th year and continues to evolve. It is an outstanding opportunity for health care providers, researchers, government, industry, and community…

Positive Women Victoria support, Victorian Govt COVID-19 support and vaccination information

Posted on 18th of January 2022

Welcome to 2022: we’re here to support you. We hope our members enjoyed a peaceful and safe start to 2022 despite ongoing uncertainties. The PWV team are all back on deck, and while it’s not possible to drop in to…

Wrapping up 2021 – A Message from PWV & Christmas/New Year Office Closure

Posted on 22nd of December 2021

Wishing you a safe and happy festive season To all Positive Women Victoria & worldwide, from my family to yours, Merry Xmas and best wishes for 2022. with love Mel, PWV Chair PWV OFFICE CLOSED FROM 23 DECEMBER AND RE-OPENS…

The Other Pandemic – 40 Years of AIDS – on ABC iView

Posted on 2nd of December 2021

40 years since cases first reported, Jeremy Fernandez and Madeleine Morris look at the history of HIV AIDS in this special news bulletin to mark World AIDS Day. They speak to global researchers from the early days right through to…

Quality of life for people with HIV: Rediscovering What Matters

Posted on 30th of November 2021

Join this interactive livestream online event on Thursday, 2 December – 12-1pm AEDT Following on from World AIDS Day, ViiV Healthcare Australia and the National Association of People with HIV Australia (NAPWHA) are proud to present a live panel discussion…

WORLD AIDS DAY EVENTS – Wednesday, 1 December 2021

Posted on 18th of November 2021

World AIDS Day 2021 “40 Years of HIV, where to next?” – online from 9am Please join us to acknowledge, reflect and learn for World AIDS Day 2021. The theme this year is ’40 Years of HIV: Where To Next’ ,…

Catch Up Chat (online) – For Women Living With HIV – Friday, 19 November @ 6pm

Posted on 17th of November 2021

Catch Up Chat (online) – For Women Living With HIV – Friday, 19 November at 6pm to 7pm AEDT (online) Hope you can join us for the last online Catch Up for 2021. This monthly catch-up is a chance to…

The Future Sessions: Women and HIV – Join the Conversation

Posted on 15th of November 2021

The Futures Sessions – Women and HIV – Wednesday 17 November , 7pm-8pm (AEDT) Join the conversation covering priority issues for women living with HIV incorporating data from the HIV Futures 9 Survey. HIV Futures is an invaluable source of information…

Positive Women Victoria support, COVID-19 support and vaccination information

Posted on 11th of November 2021

The PWV team are all back on deck, and while it’s not possible to drop in to our offices without prior appointment or discussion yet, please don’t hesitate to call or email us if we can help you in any…

PWV 2021 Annual General Meeting

Posted on 8th of November 2021

Tuesday, 9 November @ 6:00pm to 7:30pm AEDT (online) On behalf of your Acting Chair Mel, and the Board and staff of Positive Women Victoria, we warmly invite you to attend our 2021 Annual General Meeting, held online via Zoom,…

The Futures Sessions – Women and HIV

Posted on 4th of November 2021

The Futures Sessions – Women and HIV, 7pm-8pm, Wednesday 17 November. HIV Social Research? What’s in it for me? The HIV Futures Survey is a comprehensive national survey conducted every 2 years by the Australian Research Centre in Sex,…

Menopause and Women Living With HIV webinar

Posted on 19th of October 2021

WATCH THE RECORDING Held on Tuesday, 16 November @ 7:00pm to 8:00pm AEDT (Australia) Menopause and Women Living with HIV webinar, hosted online by Positive Women Victoria, features expert panellist Dr Nneka Nwokolo, an honorary HIV and sexual health consultant from…

Help Shape the Future of the National Network of Women Living with HIV

Posted on 5th of October 2021

OPERATIONAL PLANNING DAY Friday 15 October, 2021 – 10:00 am – 4:00 pm AEDT, via Zoom. NAPWHA invites you to join its Operational Planning Day of the National Network of Women Living with HIV, which is open to all women in Australia living with HIV. Facilitated…

Catch-up Chat – Friday, 22 October @ 6pm to 7pm AEST

Posted on 15th of September 2021

Hosted by Positive Women Victoria, this monthly catch-up via Zoom is a chance to chat online with your ‘sisters’ and build new connections with other women living with HIV. You can share experiences that nurture health and wellbeing or just…

TAKE A TOUR OF THE POSITIVELY WOMEN ONLINE ART EXHIBITION

Posted on 15th of September 2021

The Kirby Institute, in collaboration with Positive Life NSW, is offering tours of the Positively Women Online Art Exhibition: This innovative research exhibition presents the art work and poetry of an incredible group of Australian women living with HIV. In…

Your Gut Health and HIV webinar – WATCH THE RECORDING

Posted on 13th of September 2021

A webinar to inspire and learn why diet matters for people living with HIV Featuring an expert panel, Infectious diseases specialist Professor Sharon Lewin and clinical holistic nutritionist Skye Wiles, you will learn why gut health and diet are so…

Here To Help You During Extended COVID-19 Lockdown

Posted on 2nd of September 2021

With the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions extended for Greater Melbourne as announced by the Victorian Government on 2/9/21, PWV are still unable to provide face-to-face peer support. However, the PWV peer support team are available to all women living with HIV…

HIV priorities in care – Findings shared by Alfred Health online sessions

Posted on 30th of August 2021

Give your response at two online sessions Tuesday, August 31 6pm to 7pm Thursday, 9 September – 3pm to 4pm Recently Positive Women members took part in a community conversation with Alfred Health on the needs and priorities for HIV…

Catch-up For a Chat – an online event for women living with HIV

Posted on 26th of August 2021

Friday, 27 August 2021 – 6pm to 7pm Hosted by Positive Women Victoria, Catch-up For a Chat online via Zoom is a chance to chat online with your ‘sisters’ and build new connections with other women living with HIV. This regular…

Be part of a video to help end HIV stigma

Posted on 13th of August 2021

Women’s Stories: what it’s like to live with HIV today. As part of the Women and HIV: Tell The Story project, PWV will produce a video featuring women’s stories about what it’s like to live with HIV today with the…

Positive Women Victoria Board Needs You! Jump On Board!

Posted on 13th of August 2021

Positive Women Victoria Board Needs You! With our Annual General Meeting on 9 November 2021, and opportunities to fill Board vacancies, now is the time to become a PWV board director. It’s important we have a diverse group of women…

Your Gut Health and HIV webinar – Tuesday, 14 September 2021 at 7:00pm

Posted on 13th of August 2021

Your Gut Health and HIV webinar on Tuesday, 14 September from 7:00pm to 8:00pm A webinar (via Zoom) to inspire and learn why diet matters for people living with HIV. Featuring an expert panel, you will learn why gut health and…

Our Future, Beyond Resilience: A HIV Congress in Melbourne

Posted on 12th of August 2021

12 – 13 February 2022 in Melbourne The HIV congress will bring together a diverse group of people living with HIV in Australia to discuss what it means to live ‘beyond resilience’. An online pre-congress event will also be held…

EVENT: Women’s Wellbeing Day – postponed due to COVID lockdown

Posted on 8th of July 2021

Women’s Wellbeing Day – Sunday, 15 August 2021 from 10am to 3pm…ish Due to COVID snap lockdown announced on 5 August 2021, this event has been postponed. The new date will be announced soon and all members attending will be…

HIV Futures 10 – survey opens

Posted on 8th of July 2021

Australian national survey for people living with HIV The HIV Futures survey has been run very two to three years since 1997 by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University. Data collected is anonymous and…

Casting Photo Call – Models needed for HIV Testing Campaign on Social Media

Posted on 29th of June 2021

Would you like to be photographed by famous photographer Jez Smith for a new HIV testing campaign on social media? The casting call is for one heterosexual couple (either serodiscordant or both partners living with HIV). And two women living…

Here for you: Support & Services from PWV during latest COVID restrictions

Posted on 25th of June 2021

Updated on 25 June 2021 With the easing of COVID-19 restrictions for Greater Melbourne, we are able to re-commence face-to-face peer support on a case by case basis. However, our peer support team are available to all women living with…

Us Mob & HIV booklet and latest HIV factsheets

Posted on 24th of June 2021

Latest HIV testing factsheets on HIV transmission, PEP, PrEP and the latest Us Mob and HIV booklet published by Anwernekenhe National HIV Alliance (ANA) and AFAO (Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations) Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) READ NOW

Here for you: Support and Services from PWV during COVID restrictions

Posted on 27th of May 2021

Updated on 17 June 2021 With the easing of the extended Covid-19 ‘circuit breaker’ restrictions for Greater Melbourne, we are still unable to re-commence face-to-face peer support. Our office must also remain temporarily closed for at least another week and…

International Workshop on HIV & Women 2021

Posted on 26th of May 2021

WATCH FREE sessions from the International Workshop on HIV & Women 2021 hosted by Virology Education Sessions include: HIV and Covid19 vaccines Hormonal contraception and risk of cardiometabolic diseases Peer support models Pregnancy in Canada and breastfeeding in the US…

2021 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

Posted on 5th of May 2021

LIVING LEARNING LOVING – 40 YEARS OF HIV Sunday, 16 May 2021 from 5:00 pm – 6:00 pm (AEST) ONLINE EVENT Join us as we join organisations worldwide to raise HIV awareness and remember the friends and family we have…

Women in the Early Response to HIV – online event

Posted on 5th of May 2021

Tuesday 11 May, 2021 from 6.30p.m. – 8.00p.m. (AEST) – online forum Women played a vital role in the early response to the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Australia. From frontline workers to community leaders, join Thorne Harbour Health as…

Breastfeeding for Women Living with HIV online community forum

Posted on 4th of May 2021

Breastfeeding for Women Living with HIV online community forum Tuesday, 4 May 2021 – 7:30pm to 8:30pm (AEST) Learn about the latest advice and guidelines on breastfeeding for women living with HIV. This national online community forum will be moderated by…

Communications and Engagement Coordinator

Posted on 29th of April 2021

Applications close: COB Tuesday May 18, 2021 Do you want to work in a small, dynamic team that supports women living with HIV? Do you have great communication skills and experience across a variety of media and platforms and…

Phoenix workshop on 23-24 April 2021

Posted on 6th of April 2021

Phoenix workshop on 23-24 April 2021 Want to meet other women living with HIV? Want to share your experience? Phoenix is free workshop for women recently diagnosed with HIV or those who are after more information about living with HIV….

Covid-19 vaccine for people living with HIV

Posted on 6th of April 2021

People living with HIV are eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine (locally produced AstraZeneca vaccine) as part of the Phase 1B vaccine roll out from Monday, 22 March 2021. Phase 1B includes people with an underlying medical condition including people…

Watch: U=U is Your Story Too (Webinar for Women)

Posted on 27th of November 2020

A groundbreaking forum and Australian-first, U=U is Your Story Too is a panel discussion focused on the Undetectable = Untransmittable message as it relates specifically to women. Over 20 years of scientific evidence confirms that when antiretroviral treatment is used,…

U=U Is Your Story Too (Webinar for Women)

Posted on 12th of November 2020

This online event is not to be missed! In the lead up to World AIDS Day, this Australian first webinar led by women living with HIV will dispel outdated myths, highlighting the message that successful HIV treatment eliminates the risk…

Be a part of the World AIDS Day Memorial

Posted on 22nd of October 2020

This year, due to COVID-19, the 2020 World AIDS Day Memorial will be carried out without people gathering at the Positive Living Centre. There will be an online event and we are encouraging members of the public to contribute to…

Notice: 2020 Annual General Meeting

Posted on 15th of October 2020

This is to advise members and stakeholders of the upcoming Annual General Meeting of Positive Women Victoria (PWV). This year, due to the extraordinary circumstances and ongoing restrictions in place related to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic in Victoria, we will…

Our Stories Podcast — Listen Now!

Posted on 30th of September 2020

We are very excited to announce the launch of our brand new podcast, Our Stories: Ending HIV Stigma, a podcast about women, by women living with HIV in Australia, that challenges the myths and stereotypes that feed HIV stigma. ‘Their…

Board Elections: An Invitation to Join

Posted on 16th of September 2020

A message from Georgina Whitchurch, Chair of PWV’s Board, and an invitation to nominate for the 2020-21 Board. We are approaching our Annual General Meeting, which will be held in November 2020. It’s likely this will need to be held…

Decriminalising Sex Work: It’s time!

Posted on 10th of September 2020

It was great news to learn late last year that Victoria is embarking on a review process to consider the decriminalisation of sex work. This is a very important review, and it’s a real concern that the current legal structures…

HIV and HPV-related cancers: DARE to talk about it

Posted on 28th of August 2020

It’s not always easy to talk about intimate health care, but sometimes, even though things are a bit awkward, it can protect you and may even save your life. Positive Women Victoria is part of a group led by Positive…

Missing Voices: add yours to our Women, HIV and clinical trials research project

Posted on 20th of August 2020

Have you ever been a participant in a HIV clinical research trial? Would you consider doing so in future? If you have been a part of a HIV treatment or health care trial, what were your experiences of the process?…

Working As Your Advocate: Breastfeeding Choices

Posted on 14th of August 2020

Everyone has been pretty busy adjusting to new arrangements and needs stemming from COVID-19, but Positive Women Victoria (PWV) continues to keep HIV in the forefront of our work, and has been continuing to contribute actively to some important advocacy…

Support if you live in Melbourne and restricted areas

Posted on 8th of July 2020

It’s been an up-and-down journey for Victoria as we learn to coexist with the present reality of coronavirus. In particular, we want to send a message to all our members who live in the areas affected by the reintroduction of…

Blood Borne Virus Program at ARCSHS chats to PWV

Posted on 28th of June 2020

Our EO, Kirsty Machon, chatted to Jen Johnson from La Trobe University’s Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society on how PWV’s been working through the last three months. Have a read below! Jen Johnson: How is it all…

The next few weeks: where are we at?

Posted on 2nd of June 2020

For some people, it’s been a tough couple of months, while others have found solace in peaceful time with family, but in Victoria, the time has come where some restrictions are being slowly lifted. We’re not quite back to things…

Your story told in words, by podcast and video

Posted on 14th of May 2020

These Are Our Stories is just one part of the Women and HIV: Tell The Story project, Heather Ellis, peer-project leader, explains how you can write, use your voice and be filmed to tell your story. Over the next months,…

Melbourne 2020 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

Posted on 5th of May 2020

The Melbourne 2020 International AIDS Candlelight Memorial will be live streamed to the safety and comfort of your homes — Sunday 17 May, 5-6pm. The last two months have given Australians time to pause, rest and reflect on family, community,…

Services, Support & Info: COVID-19

Posted on 24th of April 2020

We’ve a second fact sheet for women living with HIV on different services, support and other information for COVID-19. You can also download the Fact Sheet here. And remember, PWV’s peer support team are still working during this time, although…

Empowering Women to Tell their Story

Posted on 14th of April 2020

PWV’s peer project leader, Heather Ellis, delves into our new campaign. Not all of us want to tell our stories. For some, we would never dream of discussing our HIV status in a magazine interview, on radio or on national…

Resources Project Officer role with NAPWHA

Posted on 6th of April 2020

NAPWHA is looking for a Resources Project Officer to join their dynamic team to deliver two exciting education projects in 2020. Applications close this Thursday — so take a look! The ideal applicant would: Have experience developing online learning resources…

PWV’s workflow and operations during COVID-19

Posted on 3rd of April 2020

A message from Kirsty Machon, PWV’s EO, to community partners. Dear Sector Partners, All of our staff are now working remotely and we have suspended our regular face-to-face events — such as our group lunches and Women’s Health Days —…

A quick guide to COVID-19 for women living with HIV

Posted on 2nd of April 2020

We’ve created an easy to understand fact sheet for women living with HIV on what to do during COVID-19. You can also download the Quick Guide here. And remember, PWV’s peer support team are still working during this time, although…

A message from PWV and LPV on COVID-19

Posted on 29th of March 2020

COVID-19 is changing the way we interact with you. Positive Women Victoria has teamed up with Living Positive Victoria to release a message to our PLHIV communities during this challenging time. Latest news and updates about COVID-19 The COVID-19 situation…

COVID-19 update for People Living with HIV

Posted on 17th of March 2020

Thorne Harbour Health, Living Positive Victoria, and Positive Women Victoria are encouraging people living with HIV (PLHIV) to take additional precautions in the face of the changing landscape around 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19). All three organisations want to ensure the…

Positive Women Victoria welcomes new Chair, Georgina Whitchurch

Posted on 25th of February 2020

Positive Women Victoria is delighted to introduce the organisation’s new Board Chair, Georgina Whitchurch. Georgina was elected following a decision by Heather Ellis to step down from the Board after more than three years of service, and almost two in…

U and Me Can Stop HIV

Posted on 25th of February 2020

We had a surprise visit from Sexual Health & BBV Coordinator, Anne Roseman, who works at Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc. Anne put us onto some fresh new sexual health videos made by Young Deadly Free. Make yourself…

Living HIV positive

Posted on 18th of February 2020

Living with HIV for 25 years, Heather Ellis knows all too well about the stigma and shame that accompanies the diagnosis, particularly for a woman. It’s something that as the chair of Positive Women Victoria, she’s fighting to stamp out….

What is U=U?

Posted on 6th of January 2020

The evidence is now very clear that if you are taking effective antiviral treatment, and have achieved an undetectable viral load for six months or longer, you cannot transmit HIV to your sexual partners. In the simplest terms, an “undetectable…

Farewell Anne Phelan OAM

Posted on 9th of December 2019

Vale Annie Phelan, the highly awarded actor and passionate activist for social justice (1948 – 2019). Annie became our Patron in 2000, marking a key era for Positive Women Victoria (PWV). With our CEO at the time, Stephanie Moore, PWV…

Fitted for Work

Posted on 12th of August 2019

We caught up with Jackie Roberts — one of the Referral Officers at Fitted for Work’s offices in Melbourne. They are the first organisation of its kind in Australia with a mission to help women experiencing disadvantage get work, keep…

Timeless on the Silk Road

Posted on 19th of July 2019

Kirsty Machon, PWV EO, reviews one woman’s odyssey from London to Hanoi. There is a striking photograph in Heather Ellis’ book, Timeless on the Silk Road, that poetically captures all the themes that run through this powerful story. The scene…

U=U: Is it a key to ending stigma?

Posted on 19th of June 2019

Peer Support worker, Melissa Iddles, talks about the wonderfully positive message in U=U that women living with HIV can have intimate relationships without any fear of passing on the virus, provided their viral load is stable and undetectable. As a…

The power of positive women is unstoppable

Posted on 21st of April 2019

Heather Ellis, PWV Chair, talks about the Rose Fund’s most recent recipient’s successes. Positive Women member and former Chair, Cath Smith, has been working tirelessly calling for such a national campaign and with the support of the Rose Fund was…

#AIDS2018 — A Reflective Opinion Piece

Posted on 7th of August 2018

Written by activist and PWV member, Susan Paxton. Last month at the International AIDS Conference in Amsterdam, the first Prudence Mabele Award was announced.The recipient Dudu Dhlamini, who started an organisation in South Africa to support sex workers and their…

HIV Long-term Survivors Awareness Day

Posted on 5th of June 2018

Written by PWV member and activist Susan Paxton. Today is HIV long-term survivors awareness day, and on this bright sunny winter’s morning in Melbourne, I reflect on what that means to me.I am one of those lucky ones, having lived…

A letter from LPV’s Anth McCarthy

Posted on 10th of August 2017

Written by Anth McCarthy, Living Positive Victoria’s Peer Navigator. Dear positive women, I’ve been a great admirer of you for a long time, and your example has helped change my life for the better. I’d like to offer some words…

A letter from Femfatales Chair, Kath Leane

Posted on 29th of June 2017

A letter from Katherine Leane — a pillar of the national community of people living with HIV. She has been a strong and brave advocate for women living with HIV for 30 years. She is the current President of Positive…

Straight Up, I am Hooked

Posted on 11th of December 2015

Written by Heather Ellis, PWV member and recipient of a Rose Fund scholarship. I came across the Mont Blanc Writing Workshop held in Chamonix, in the French Alps, by chance while surfing the web. And I just had to go….