Well Well Well

21 Mar 2024

Tribute to the Phil Carswell OAM

Advocacy and Activism, Community Living Legend, HIV, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC), VAC Legacy Series

This week started with the sad news that longstanding activist and Founding President of the Victorian AIDS Council (now Thorne Harbour Health) Phil Carswell OAM died peacefully at his home in Brisbane. Phil leaves behind a remarkable legacy of advocating for the health, wellbeing, and the rights of our LGBTIQA+ communities. In particular, Phil played a vital leadership role in Australia’s role in responding to HIV and AIDS.

Joining Cal Hawk in the studio for this episode is Dr Adam Carr. Both Adam and Phil were a part of the Community Living Legends series last year as Thorne Harbour Health (formerly the Victorian AIDS Council) celebrated 40 years. Adam speaks to his 50-year friendship with Phil and reflects on Phil’s legacy as we listen to clips of Phil’s speech at the Ruby Red Ball in July of 2023 as well as part of his interview on JOY.

Click here to hear Phil’s full interview as part of the Community Living Legends series. 

Click here to listen and watch Phil’s speech at Thorne Harbour Health’s Ruby Red Ball. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 57:08 — 52.3MB) | Embed

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

8 Jan 2026

Midsumma Preview: History Walks, Carnival and the Periodic Survey

Community, Festival, Midsumma, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

Dylan from the City of Yarra and Tex Mackenzie speak about the Yarra Queer History Walk, a guided tour that ...

31 Dec 2025

2025 Year In Review

Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

Jack, Jake and Thorne Harbour Health Events Coordinator Chiron Hooson walk through a whirlwind 2025. We revisit events from Midsumma Festival, ...

24 Dec 2025

LGBTIQ+ Holiday Wellbeing Strategies

Alcohol & Drug Harm Reduction, Community, Counselling and Therapeutic Groups, Health, Mental Health, Thorne Harbour Health (VAC)

Molly Boorman from Thorne Harbour Health unpacks holiday wellbeing for LGBTIQ+ folk, from family driven stress to managing alcohol and other ...