Well Well Well

20 Jul 2023

Phil Carswell – Community Living Legend

Advocacy and Activism, Government & Organizations, HIV, Sex & Sexuality, Society & Culture, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC), VAC Legacy Series

Phil Carswell OAM is a longstanding community advocate. Forged in the fires of gay and lesbian liberation, Phil was the Founding President of the Victorian AIDS Action Committee, later the Victorian AIDS Council, and today – Thorne Harbour Health. Phil worked tirelessly in leading the community response to HIV and AIDS in Australia both within community organisations and while working in government health departments

Phil represented the Victorian AIDS Council on the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations Council which he also co-founded and was appointed as one of two gay community representatives to the National Advisory Council on AIDS chaired by Ms Ita Buttrose.

In 2015, Phil received a Medal in the Order of Australia for services to public health, particularly for people with HIV/AIDS.

This episode is part of the Community Living Legends series, reflecting on a legacy of community-driven action to improve our health and wellbeing as Thorne Harbour Health celebrates its 40th Anniversary.

Check out our other JOY Podcasts for more on LGBTIQ+ health & wellbeing.

If there’s something you’d like us to explore on the show, send through ideas or questions at wellwellwell@joy.org.au

Find out more about LGBTIQ+ services and events in Victoria at Thorne Harbour Health.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 50:39 — 116.0MB) | Embed

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Deezer | RSS

29 Jan 2026

Pill Testing at Street Party

Alcohol & Drug Harm Reduction, Community, Midsumma, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

Sarah Hiley, Drug Checking Director at The Loop Australia joins Jack to discuss the Victorian Pill Testing Service and its ...

22 Jan 2026

THH Vogue Night and St Kilda History Walk

Art, Community, Drag, Midsumma, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

Jack speaks with Julai Diesel ahead of the THH Vogue Night event running during Midsumma and discuss what the ballroom ...

15 Jan 2026

Wise Words and Midsumma Carnival Cancer Screening

Advocacy and Activism, Art, Health, Midsumma, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

Wise Words returns this Midsumma to feature a line-up of some of Australia's most prominent and talented LGBTIQ+ women (trans ...