A panel of the Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed at this year’s Sydney Candlelight Memorial at the event’s new location at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

The International AIDS Candlelight Memorial has been held annually in cities across the globe for over two decades. Timed to coincide with International Candlelight Memorial Day on the third Sunday of May each year, it’s a chance for communities to gather in remembrance of those who have been taken from us by HIV/AIDS.

The Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt Project was formally launched on World AIDS Day 1988. The quilt’s handmade panels show names and visual commemorations of the lives which were lost. Over the years, sections of the quilt have been displayed at candlelight vigils and this year is a memorable opportunity for one of the quilts to be on display in the community from whence it came.

2025’s Sydney Candlelight Memorial will take place at a new location – the Music Workshop at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, from 3pm on Sunday 18 May. The theatre doors will be open from 2:30pm.

The keynote speaker for the event will be Lizzie Griggs, who has worked as an HIV/Sexual Health nurse for the past 40 years. In 1985 Lizzie co-founded with Jeffrey Jackson a world-first HIV prevention outreach service known as the ‘AIDS Bus’ which was nurse-led and targeted male and trans sex workers.

The Sydney Candlelight Memorial is co-produced by ACON and Positive Life NSW.

Positive Life NSW CEO Jane Costello says, “the Sydney Candlelight Memorial is a significant event on the calendar for all people living with HIV along with our allies, family and friends in NSW.”

“The annual Candlelight Memorial is an opportunity for all of us who have lost loved ones to HIV/AIDS to honour, remember and celebrate their lives,” she says.

ACON CEO Michael Woodhouse says the event provides an important opportunity for all of us to reflect and remember the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic on our lives and our community.”

“On this global day of remembrance, we remember, say their names and treasure our memories of those who have gone too soon, and the light they brought into the world. We will never forget them.”

ENDS

SYDNEY CANDLELIGHT MEMORIAL 2025
Sunday 18 May
Service 3pm-4pm (doors open 2:30pm), Refreshments 4-4:45pm

New Venue: Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Music Workshop
1 Conservatorium Road, Sydney CBD 2000

PLEASE RSVP
RSVPs are essential for catering purposes
To RSVP and/or add names to the Remembrance list, contact Positive Life NSW:
contact@positivelife.org.au
(02) 8357 8316
1800 245 677

Names can be lodged on the Candlelight website.