Word for Word

24 Mar 2014

Gently Forward – Simon Ruth Gets VAC Going!

Health, Society & Culture

2013 was a year of unprecedented change at the Victorian AIDS Council / Gay Men’s Health Centre.

The CEO left abruptly.  At the Annual General Meeting, the membership proposed 20 constitutional changes and elected four new Board members. A number of experienced, long serving and passionate staff had either left or been made redundant during an organisational restructure. It’s fair to say, morale was not great.

Today on Word For Word we meet Simon Ruth, the new CEO of the VAC/GMHC. Energised by the challenges ahead, Simon draws inspiration from the agency’s 30 year history.  Founded through community engagement it has grown to become Victoria’s largest LGBTI health organisation whilst continuing to drive the State’s response to HIV and AIDS.

With the world’s largest scientific and medical conference coming to Melbourne this July, Simon shares his hopes for AIDS 2014, its outcomes and its legacy.

Click on these links to find out more information about the HIV & Aging Forum or the Forth home testing study.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 52:43 — 48.3MB)

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

27 Apr 2025

Noah Secomb

LGBTI Community, News & Politics, Society & Culture, Uncategorized

Every week Word for Word explores the stories, experiences, and perspectives of extraordinary LGBTQIA+ individuals. From artists to advocates, quiet ...

13 Apr 2025

Tamzyn Bielecka

LGBTI Community, neurodivergence, Society & Culture

Every week Word for Word explores the stories, experiences, and perspectives of extraordinary LGBTQIA+ individuals. From artists to advocates, quiet ...

6 Apr 2025

Dean Beck

LGBTI Community, Society & Culture, Uncategorized

Every week Word for Word explores the stories, experiences, and perspectives of extraordinary LGBTQIA+ individuals. From artists to advocates, quiet ...