16 July 2009

The CEO of ACON, Australia’s largest community-based GLBT* health and HIV/AIDS organisation, has announced her resignation today after almost a decade in the top job.

ACON President Mark Orr has paid tribute to Stevie Clayton OAM for her significant contribution to the health and wellbeing of the community.

Mr Orr says Ms Clayton has been an outstanding leader of ACON in her nine years as CEO and has been a key player in NSW and Australia's response to HIV.

“On behalf of the members and the Board of ACON, I would like to thank Stevie for her hard work, dedication and commitment to ACON,” Mr Orr says.

“Stevie first joined ACON in 1997, so has been with the organisation for just over half of its lifetime.

“During that period she has been at the centre of policy making that has shaped how the HIV pandemic has been dealt with in NSW and Australia – not to mention her involvement in the many debates on GLBT rights issues that have helped take our community many steps closer towards equality.

“It is testament to Stevie’s knowledge and leadership that NSW can now lay claim to being one of the few places in the entire world where HIV infection rates have remained stable.

“For that reason, ACON is now a recognised world leader in HIV education and prevention and there is growing international interest in our strategies and work.

“Most recently Stevie has overseen ACON’s transition to incorporation as ACON Health Limited and presided over the formation of a new strategic plan that will help us address our community’s unique health challenges in the years ahead.”

“Stevie has been fundamental in the establishment of the National LGBT Health Alliance and was recognised for her many contributions to the GLBT community and law reform when in her very early years as our CEO she was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in 2003.”

Mr Orr says Ms Clayton will remain as CEO while the Board conducts an international search for her replacement.

Web: Current Vacancies - Chief Executive Officer

*GLBT = gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender