The National Association of People with HIV/AIDS (NAPWHA) has held its Special General Meeting this month, and voted to endorse changes to the Rules of the Association and a new model of governance.
The Executive committee stepped down to allow an election by the PLWHA member delegates of nominations for a six-member Board of Directors, and convenors for six national portfolios, covering key issues for people with HIV.
It is envisaged that the new structure will allow an enhancement to the NAPWHA representation of the diversity of HIV positive lives and issues that exist within the Australian HIV epidemic. It is also hoped that the SGM resolutions will support the objective of realising an increased involvement of individual PLWHA in the work and representation of the national body.
NAPWHA now consists of:
- Board of Directors (6)
- National Portfolio Convenors (6)
- Member organisations (8)
- Associate member organisations (3)
- NAPWHA / AIDS Treatment Project Australia Secretariat staff members (5)
- President: Phillip Medcalf
- Vice-President: David Menadue
- Secretary/Treasurer: John Robinson
- Director: Gabe McCarthy
- Director: Jon Willis
The new National Portfolio Convenors are:
- Treatments: Peter Canavan
- Care & Support: Vacant
- Education: Brent Allan
- Indigenous Co-convenors: Tony Creighton and Bev Greet
- Women: Amelia McLoughlin
“With the current reviews of the HIV National Research Centres, and the Review of the 4th National Strategy, NAPWHA is keen to utilise the momentum of a very productive SGM and offer the best representation of PLWHA issues at the national level,” said newly-elected President, Phillip Medcalf.
“I thank the previous President – Peter Canavan – and other outgoing Executive members, who have led the organisation through significant strategic planning and organisational changes, and I feel very confident in the energy and support of all the members to adopting these changes and supporting the future of NAPWHA.
“The new board and portfolio convenors will be quickly settling down to steer the ongoing response to issues such as welfare reform, treatments access and subsidies, and the continuing threat to HIV-specific funding and research that will affect the lives of positive people across Australia.”
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