{"id":513,"date":"2025-12-08T03:12:47","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T03:12:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/?page_id=513"},"modified":"2025-12-08T03:14:47","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T03:14:47","slug":"main-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Main"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"513\" class=\"elementor elementor-513\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5e36900c elementor-section-height-min-height elementor-section-items-stretch elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5e36900c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-wider\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7226942b\" data-id=\"7226942b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b557c94 animated-slow elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-the7-heading\" data-id=\"7b557c94\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"the7-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"the7-heading-title elementor-size-default\">ACON IMPACT REPORT<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-766d1f99 animated-slow elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-invisible elementor-widget elementor-widget-the7-heading\" data-id=\"766d1f99\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;_animation&quot;:&quot;fadeIn&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"the7-heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"the7-heading-title elementor-size-default\">2024-2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-219de9c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"219de9c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72663119 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"72663119\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-211a1dbf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"211a1dbf\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-63868533 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"63868533\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; color: #000000; font: 700 34px \/ 44px 'GT Walsheim', sans-serif; text-transform: none; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-align: center;\">In 2024-2025, we continued to fulfil our purpose to create opportunities for people in our communities to live healthier, more connected lives<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-205c708f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"205c708f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f2eb66b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4f2eb66b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1330\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A9330-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-501\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A9330-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A9330-300x156.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A9330-1024x532.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A9330-768x399.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A9330-1536x798.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A9330-2048x1064.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4f95fa08 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"4f95fa08\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-247e3260 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"247e3260\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a3b11b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4a3b11b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 style=\"margin-bottom: 10px; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font: 700 34px \/ 44px &quot;GT Walsheim&quot;, sans-serif; text-transform: none; letter-spacing: normal; word-spacing: 0px; text-decoration: none; text-align: center;\">A message from our President and CEO<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2755bbad elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2755bbad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); word-spacing: normal;\">For four decades, ACON has championed the health and wellbeing of our communities, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are represented.<\/span><\/p><p>Founded in 1985 by gay men responding to the HIV crisis with courage, care and advocacy, ACON has grown into a leading health organisation with community at the heart of what we do.<\/p><p>Today, we support all people living with HIV and those of diverse sexualities and genders through trusted services, impactful campaigns, and strong community connections.<\/p><p>Employers and organisations seek our guidance to become more inclusive, and governments rely on our expertise to deliver meaningful outcomes for our communities.<\/p><p>This year, the launch of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-strategy\/\">ACON\u2019s Impact Strategy 2025\u20132030<\/a><\/strong> marks the next chapter in our journey. It sets out our ambition to build healthier, more connected communities by:<\/p><p>\u2022 Measuring and amplifying our impact<\/p><p>\u2022 Scaling programs that work<\/p><p>\u2022 Enhancing quality across everything we do<\/p><p>To achieve this, we\u2019ll invest in our&nbsp;people, strengthen our systems,&nbsp;and secure sustainable resources.&nbsp;We\u2019ll broaden access to prevention&nbsp;tools, testing, and screening&nbsp;services. We\u2019ll continue to be a&nbsp;trusted advisor to the corporate&nbsp;sector in inclusive practice.<\/p><p>To support this work, we\u2019re growing&nbsp;our workforce, upgrading our&nbsp;technology and infrastructure, and&nbsp;increasing our financial capacity&nbsp;including through fundraising. We\u2019ll&nbsp;strengthen our quality frameworks,&nbsp;harness data more effectively,&nbsp;and deepen partnerships with&nbsp;communities and allies.<\/p><p>Together, all these efforts help&nbsp;position ACON as a national leader&nbsp;and expand our global influence in&nbsp;health, inclusion, and HIV response.<\/p><p>In this Impact Report, you\u2019ll see how we\u2019re driving lasting change and building a future where LGBTQ+ people and those living with HIV are supported to live healthy, connected lives.<\/p><p>None of this is possible without the shared commitment of our supporters, staff, volunteers, funders, partners, and the communities we serve. We thank you all for your support of ACON.<\/p><p><em>Adjunct Professor Justin Koonin (ACON President) and&nbsp;<\/em><em>Michael Woodhouse (ACON CEO)<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c31e58c elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6c31e58c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-786f0481 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"786f0481\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1575c64f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1575c64f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Our Impact Strategy 2025-2030<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67307225 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67307225\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>Our Impact Strategy 2025-2030 sets out our vision and priorities for the next stage of our work improving the health and wellbeing of sexuality and gender diverse people and people living with HIV in NSW.\u00a0\u00a0<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-43153fee elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"43153fee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ACON-Impact-Strategy-Overview-25-scaled-1-1024x512.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-54\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ACON-Impact-Strategy-Overview-25-scaled-1-1024x512.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ACON-Impact-Strategy-Overview-25-scaled-1-300x150.png 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ACON-Impact-Strategy-Overview-25-scaled-1-768x384.png 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ACON-Impact-Strategy-Overview-25-scaled-1-1536x768.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ACON-Impact-Strategy-Overview-25-scaled-1-2048x1024.png 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1258bc12 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1258bc12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e80841a elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"7e80841a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4532aa73 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4532aa73\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48f14098 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"48f14098\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1fce417b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1fce417b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>OUR IMPACT PRIORITIES<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6568d813 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6568d813\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3>In 2024-2025, we continued our work in five key priorities as set out in our Impact Strategy: adapting HIV programs to respond to a more complex epidemic, expanding psychosocial health services, increasing preventive health education, strengthening community connection and advancing inclusion across workplaces, sport and society.<\/h3>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57e27a19 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"57e27a19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-25180158 elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"25180158\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-6220\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-6220\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 1. Our communities achieve virtual elimination of HIV transmission, and people living with HIV have a high quality of life <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6220\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1cea6a16 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1cea6a16\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6220\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-68beda44 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"68beda44\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4d3ad4d2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4d3ad4d2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1574\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A7893-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-479\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A7893-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A7893-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A7893-1024x630.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A7893-768x472.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A7893-1536x945.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/0Y8A7893-2048x1260.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2bb1bdd9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2bb1bdd9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Advances in HIV treatments and biomedical prevention options mean it is now possible to virtually eliminate HIV transmission in Australia and for all people living with HIV to have a good quality of life.<\/strong><\/p><p>80% of men who are having casual sex with men use at least one effective form of prevention \u2013 including PrEP, condoms, or maintaining an undetectable viral load.<\/p><p>We know that there are groups of gay and bi men who are not getting the benefits of prevention at the same rates, particularly men born overseas who choose to live, work or study in NSW.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-66\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hiv-diagnoses.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1176\" height=\"605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hiv-diagnoses.jpg 1176w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hiv-diagnoses-300x154.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hiv-diagnoses-1024x527.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/hiv-diagnoses-768x395.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1176px) 100vw, 1176px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-58c8fd3a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"58c8fd3a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Our communities continue to achieve high rates of testing. According to the 2025 Sydney GBQ+ Community Periodic Survey, the proportion of non-HIV-positive participants who reported testing for HIV in the previous 12 months increased from 56% in 2021 to 70% in 2025.<\/p><p>Almost all people living with HIV in NSW are using antiretroviral treatment and have undetectable viral loads. While progress continues, people living with HIV continue to report unacceptable levels of stigma.<\/p><p>ACON is committed to its ongoing leadership role in the HIV response. We continue to operate important programs to eliminate HIV transmission with a strong focus on younger gay and bi men and men born outside of Australia.<\/p><p>This includes:<\/p><p>\u2022 Ending HIV campaign initiatives targeted across NSW<br \/>\u2022 Emen8, ACON\u2019s national digital sexual health resource produced in partnership with Thorne Harbour Health<br \/>\u2022 Reaching 2,500+ people through workshops, forums and education sessions<br \/>\u2022 Distribution of thousands of safe sex packs at LGBTQ+ venues and events<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-67\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/atest-for-impact-report.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1400\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/atest-for-impact-report.png 1400w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/atest-for-impact-report-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/atest-for-impact-report-1024x380.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/atest-for-impact-report-768x285.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4580e820 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4580e820\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Community testing services make it much easier for people to know their status and get access to treatment or PrEP. In the past financial year, 21% of people who came to us for testing were from outside inner city Sydney, and 67% were born overseas.<\/p><p>Our policy team advocated for privacy protections in single digital patient records, the review of mandatory disease testing, and strategies to reduce stigma.<\/p><p>We also continune our efforts to address stigma and discrimination through counselling and support to those living with or at risk of HIV, especially among priority populations.<\/p><p><b>Also in 2024, ACON\u2019s Community Support Network marked four decades sustaining the quality of life and independence of people living with HIV in New South Wales through home-based care.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-733c7852 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"733c7852\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fdfc6bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3fdfc6bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>SPOTLIGHT ON: ENDING HIV<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bb88aa4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3bb88aa4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Launched in 2013, Ending HIV is ACON\u2019s community education initiative that aims to educate gay, bisexual and other MSM on what they can do to help prevent new HIV transmission in NSW.<\/strong><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-68 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ending-HIV-bus-0Y8A4223-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1112\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ending-HIV-bus-0Y8A4223-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ending-HIV-bus-0Y8A4223-300x130.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ending-HIV-bus-0Y8A4223-1024x445.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ending-HIV-bus-0Y8A4223-768x334.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ending-HIV-bus-0Y8A4223-1536x667.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Ending-HIV-bus-0Y8A4223-2048x889.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-133fda14 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"133fda14\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3><b><u>ENDING HIV 2025 CAMPAIGN: THEN &amp; NOW<\/u><\/b><\/h3><p><span style=\"font-size: 18px; font-weight: 400; word-spacing: normal;\"><br \/>In 2025, ACON delivered a bold Ending HIV campaign honouring four decades of HIV prevention and community resilience.<\/span><\/p><p>The campaign highlighted the facts about how HIV is transmitted and how to protect yourself, breaking down stigma and empowering action.<\/p><div>The results were:<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><ul><li>93% described the campaign as effective<\/li><li>87% described the campaign as engaging<\/li><li>40% took immediate action such as learning more, testing, or speaking with a healthcare professional<\/li><\/ul><div><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-218 alignnone\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-02-12-140854.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"928\" height=\"260\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-02-12-140854.png 928w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-02-12-140854-300x84.png 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-02-12-140854-768x215.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 928px) 100vw, 928px\" \/><\/p><h3><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><b>ENDING HIV KEY MESSAGES<\/b><\/span><\/h3><p><b><br \/>KNOWLEDGE IS ENDING HIV TRANSMISSION: <\/b>Know the facts about HIV. How it\u2019s transmitted and how to protect yourself<\/p><p><b>WEARING CONDOMS IS ENDING HIV TRANSMISSION: <\/b>Condoms are FREE and accessible. They prevent HIV and STIs.<\/p><p><b><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">PrEP IS ENDING HIV\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">TRANSMISSION: <\/span><\/b><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">Find out more about the\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">pill that prevents HIV.<\/span><\/p><p><b><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">TESTING IS ENDING HIV <\/span><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">TRANSMISSION: <\/span><\/b><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">Test often for HIV and\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">STIs. It\u2019s FREE, quick\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">and confidential.<\/span><\/p><p><b>TREATING HIV IS ENDING HIV TRANSMISSION: <\/b>Treatment is FREE in NSW, regardless of Medicare status.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/endinghiv.org.au\/\"><strong>Find out more by visiting EndingHIV.org.au.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-6221\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-6221\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 2. The psychosocial health and wellbeing of ACON\u2019s peers and clients are improved <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6221\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b129d71 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"b129d71\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6221\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60cb95d1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"60cb95d1\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3807c30a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3807c30a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-70\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0857-hunter-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0857-hunter-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0857-hunter-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0857-hunter-1024x471.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0857-hunter-768x353.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0857-hunter-1536x707.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/IMG_0857-hunter-2048x942.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p><p><strong>Due to discrimination and exclusion, our communities experience higher rates of mental health issues, harmful drug use, suicide risk and experiences of violence.<\/strong><\/p><p>Research shows that over half (57%) of LGBTQ+ adults reported high or very high levels of psychological distress. Nearly two thirds (73%) reported having ever been diagnosed with a mental health condition at some point in their lives.<\/p><p>People are looking for services which show a deep understanding of LGBTQ+ experience. Importantly, this includes trans and gender people looking for assistance from peers to affirm their gender.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-743432a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"743432a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Across all our peer and client services, we have more demand than we have been able to service.<\/strong><\/p><p>Therefore, ACON has been growing our work in peer and client services in response to requests from communities.<\/p><p>Our model is based on our deep understanding of LGBTQ+ communities and lived experiences. Our teams include peer workers able to walk alongside members of the community, complementing the work of counsellors and social workers.<\/p><p>We provide counselling support on issues including recent HIV diagnosis, substance use, domestic and family violence case work, suicide prevention, trans counselling and peer support. Our services are available from our<br \/>offices or online.<\/p><p><strong>Some of our peer and client services include:<\/strong><\/p><p>\u2022 Care Coordination Service supporting community members with multiple or complex needs.<\/p><p>\u2022 Suicide Aftercare support for those experiencing a suicidal crisis or needing assistance following a suicide attempt.<\/p><p>\u2022 Specialist sexual, domestic and family violence counselling and care coordination support.<\/p><p>\u2022 Trans Mental Health &amp; Wellbeing Service to support the mental health of trans community members.<\/p><p>\u2022 Substance Support counselling to assist community members with their use of alcohol and\/or other drugs.<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-71\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/services-page-for-website.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1400\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/services-page-for-website.png 1400w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/services-page-for-website-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/services-page-for-website-1024x380.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/services-page-for-website-768x285.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-563719c6 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"563719c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3a78c7f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3a78c7f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>SPOTLIGHT ON: Trans Mental Health &amp; Wellbeing Service<\/h2><p><br \/>ACON\u2019s Trans Mental Health Service aims to improve the mental health, wellbeing and quality of life of trans people and people questioning their gender, through the delivery of affirming care coordination, counselling, peer navigation and peer support. All peer workers delivering this essential service are also trans.<\/p><p><strong>This year, the Trans Mental Health &amp; Wellbeing team delivered over 2,230 occasions of service to 238 clients.<\/strong><\/p><p><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-207 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Y8A7827-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1115\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Y8A7827-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Y8A7827-1-300x131.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Y8A7827-1-1024x446.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Y8A7827-1-768x334.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Y8A7827-1-1536x669.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0Y8A7827-1-2048x892.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-71e6ab7d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"71e6ab7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-346076da elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"346076da\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>COMMUNITY STORY: LINC, HUNTER REGION<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dab0d3d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5dab0d3d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>&#8220;I was a social worker and had a really awesome private practice. Then I became disabled and life went out the window.<\/p><p>&#8220;Once I got the diagnosis, I thought \u2018I am not living for other people anymore\u2019. That\u2019s when I \u2018came out\u2019. I was 43 and decided I had to actually live life the way I need to live it.<\/p><p>&#8220;Since I came out as trans, it\u2019s the first time in my life that I haven\u2019t been suicidal.<\/p><p>&#8220;I was in a really bad way. I went through five counsellors, and do you know what? Straight identifying people don\u2019t get what I\u2019m struggling with.<\/p><p>&#8220;So I went to ACON and was assigned [ACON counsellor] Lou, who kind of saved my life, if I\u2019m honest. She\u2019s someone who \u2018gets\u2019 the queer experience.<\/p><p>&#8220;We had a number of sessions, with her just listening to what I was struggling with, and unpacking things. It kind of gave me the ability to expand my life. I felt like I could breathe. Every time \u2026 it just became a little bit brighter, a little bit lighter.<\/p><p>&#8220;I will never have the words to thank Lou for the support she\u2019s given me over the years.&#8221;<br \/><br \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-6222\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-6222\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 3. The health and wellbeing of our communities are improved through preventive measures <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6222\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-439e9da5 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"439e9da5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4305fd12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4305fd12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1707\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/preventative1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-431\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/preventative1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/preventative1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/preventative1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/preventative1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/preventative1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/preventative1-2048x1366.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20c63120 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"20c63120\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Many of the health disparities faced by our communities are preventable.<\/strong><\/p><p>Despite advances in healthcare, many people still face barriers to maintaining good health due to a lack of awareness or access to early prevention methods.<\/p><p>For example, research shows that one third (34%) of LGBTQ+ women had not disclosed their sexuality or gender identity to their GP when accessing the health care they need.<\/p><p>ACON is responding by providing health information that is relevant to LGBTQ+ communities, including:<\/p><p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordonthesheets.org.au\/\"><strong>Word on the Sheets<\/strong><\/a>, the online health portal for LGBTQ+ women<\/p><p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transhub.org.au\/\"><strong>TransHub<\/strong><\/a>, the national digital platform for trans and gender diverse people<\/p><p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/sayitoutloud.org.au\/\"><strong>Say It Out Loud<\/strong><\/a>, the online platform on LGBTQ+ sexual, domestic and family violence<\/p><p>\u2022 <a href=\"https:\/\/here.org.au\/\"><strong>HERE.org.au<\/strong><\/a>, the digital LGBTQ+ suicide prevention information, support and resource hub<\/p><p>\u2022 The harm reduction hub <a href=\"https:\/\/betweenthelines.org.au\/\"><strong>Between the Lines<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/what-we-are-here-for\/alcohol-drugs\/#m3thod-peer-led-pnp-service\"><strong>M3thod<\/strong><\/a> peer program for people who practice sexualised drug use;<\/p><p>\u2022 the <a href=\"https:\/\/canwe.org.au\/\"><strong>Can We<\/strong><\/a> platform, designed to inform people about how to stay healthy and reduce risk of cancer.<\/p><p>We are also working to improve access to testing, screening and primary health care, with pop\u2011up HIV testing at pride events across NSW, and cancer screening at pride festivals across the country.<\/p><p>We also played an active role in the NSW Drug Summit, and our peer-led harm reduction <a href=\"https:\/\/betweenthelines.org.au\/the-acon-rovers\/\"><strong>Rovers<\/strong><\/a> program helped patrons stay safe at events.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-548d1cc7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"548d1cc7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c03430d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4c03430d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>KALEIDO HEALTH CENTRE<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41727532 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41727532\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-100 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HiRes_untitled-3663-Edit-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1518\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HiRes_untitled-3663-Edit-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HiRes_untitled-3663-Edit-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HiRes_untitled-3663-Edit-1024x607.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HiRes_untitled-3663-Edit-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HiRes_untitled-3663-Edit-1536x911.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/HiRes_untitled-3663-Edit-2048x1214.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\"><br \/>An ACON study in 2023 showed that 64% of survey respondents reported that they did not see a GP when they needed to. Reasons include not being confident a GP would understand their life and health needs (33%), fear of judgement (32%), poor past experience (28%) and lack of trust (27%).<\/span><\/p><p>Opened by ACON in March 2025, on Gadigal land in Sydney\u2019s South Eveleigh precinct, the Kaleido Health Centre delivers inclusive, multi-disciplinary, integrated health care for LGBTQ+ people and their families in NSW across the state.<\/p><p>Almost 1,500 people attended Kaleido Health Centre in the first seven months of operation.<\/p><p>With Kaleido Health, we have applied our understanding of our communities and of our health system to build a new service that\u2019s now making a big difference in NSW. The health centre brings together GPs and mental health staff in an integrated model.<\/p><p>We know that integrated care \u2013 specialists working alongside GPs and with links to the broader health system \u2013 delivered in a community setting is something our communities need. We also know we must add capacity to the system \u2013 not compete with those already doing great work.<\/p><p>We thank our partners in the NSW Health system, especially Sydney Local Health District, who have been crucial to the development of this service, as well as our other partners Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network and St Vincent\u2019s Health Network Sydney.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/kaleidohealth.org.au\/\"><strong>Visit the Kaleido Health Centre&#8217;s website to find out more and book an appointment.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-623f04dd elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"623f04dd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27b07b43 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"27b07b43\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-11b5a111 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"11b5a111\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>SPOTLIGHT ON: &#8216;Own It&#8217; Cervical Screening Campaign<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1eacfc97 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1eacfc97\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-208\" style=\"word-spacing: normal;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20250218_022515000_iOS-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1320\" height=\"536\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20250218_022515000_iOS-1.jpg 1320w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20250218_022515000_iOS-1-300x122.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20250218_022515000_iOS-1-1024x416.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/20250218_022515000_iOS-1-768x312.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1320px) 100vw, 1320px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2d41868b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2d41868b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>More than 70% of cervical cancers in Australia occur in people who are not up to date with their cervical screening.<\/strong><\/p><p>In 2023, ACON launched the \u201cOwn It\u201d cervical screening campaign in NSW, promoting self \u2011collection among young people aged 25\u201335. Developed in partnership with the Cancer Institute NSW, the campaign increased motivation to screen and laid the foundation for national expansion.<\/p><p>In 2024, ACON was engaged by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing to led the national scale-up of \u201cOwn It\u201d as part of a consortium with NACCHO, the Australian Multicultural Health Collaborative, and the Australian Centre for the Prevention of Cervical Cancer. ACON led creative development, media implementation, and LGBTQ+ community engagement. The campaign generated over 881,000 website sessions and achieved 3.2 million complete social video views, 16 million YouTube views, and more than 12 million out-of-home impressions. TV, audio, and contextual placements extended reach to priority populations in regional, remote, and clinical settings.<\/p><p>By August 2025, 37% of target audiences were aware of the campaign, rising to 44% among LGBTQ+ audiences, exceeding the performance target of 30%. Awareness of self-collection increased from 44% to 64%, and to 71% among those who recognised the campaign. <a href=\"https:\/\/canwe.org.au\/staying-healthy\/cervical-screening\/\"><strong>Learn more about the OWN IT campaign on the Can We website here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p><p>ACON also delivered four pop-up clinics in NSW, VIC, and NT, screening over 100 people \u2013 more than half of whom were overdue or never screened \u2013 demonstrating tangible impact in improving screening uptake.<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-102\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cancer-screening-for-website.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1400\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cancer-screening-for-website.png 1400w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cancer-screening-for-website-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cancer-screening-for-website-1024x380.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/cancer-screening-for-website-768x285.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-6223\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-6223\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 4. People in our communities build new and meaningful social connections and have a stronger sense of belonging <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6223\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f6ff7f8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7f6ff7f8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6223\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a20d659 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6a20d659\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12299feb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"12299feb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1515\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMC_6476-Edit-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-493\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMC_6476-Edit-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMC_6476-Edit-300x178.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMC_6476-Edit-1024x606.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMC_6476-Edit-768x455.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMC_6476-Edit-1536x909.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMC_6476-Edit-2048x1212.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-279798b2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"279798b2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Social connection is a bedrock for good health.<\/strong> Community building programs have been part of what ACON does since we began. When people are connected, they feel supported, resilient and able to live fuller, healthier lives.<\/p><p>People with few social relationships or poor-quality social interactions are more likely to experience negative health outcomes than those with meaningful social relationships, regardless of their age. Increased social connection is linked to better life satisfaction, health and wellbeing.<\/p><p>Our best work occurs when we support initiatives that have come from local communities \u2013 supporting communities to support themselves.<\/p><p>Our work builds meaningful connections across NSW for everyone, with particular emphasis on LGBTQSB+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, carers, rural and regional centres, young people, trans and gender diverse people and people from culturally and racially marginalised backgrounds.<br \/><strong style=\"word-spacing: normal;\"><br \/>In 2024-25 we supported community building through programs including:<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u2022 Partnership with local pride organisation across NSW, particularly regional areas<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u2022 Facilitating the First Nations float for the Mardi Gras Parade<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u2022 The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme to combat loneliness and social isolation<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u2022 Hosting the Honour Awards to recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements within NSW\u2019s LGBTQ+ communities.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u2022 Trans Vitality workshops to build resilience and connections for trans adults<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u2022 The LOVE (Living Older Visibly Engaged) Project creating connections for older people.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u2022 Partnering with cultural and faith groups<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"word-spacing: normal;\">\u2022 Partnering with the West Ball, an annual ballroom event that brings together and celebrates queer communities in Western Sydney.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-51c44199 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"51c44199\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c9a7a42 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"7c9a7a42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-15ada23 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"15ada23\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>SPOTLIGHT ON: ACON&#8217;s First Nations Health Programs<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38a82d42 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"38a82d42\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-104 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Aboriginal-Project-option-2-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Aboriginal-Project-option-2-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Aboriginal-Project-option-2-1-300x186.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Aboriginal-Project-option-2-1-1024x635.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Aboriginal-Project-option-2-1-768x476.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Aboriginal-Project-option-2-1-1536x953.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Aboriginal-Project-option-2-1-2048x1271.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p><p><strong>Supporting the health and wellbeing of LGBTQ+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities remains a key focus of ACON\u2019s work.<\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/who-we-are-here-for\/aboriginal-people\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>ACON\u2019s First Nations Health Programs<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0deliver culturally safe programs, resources and campaigns that create opportunities for connection.<\/p><p>Some of this work includes:<\/p><ul><li>The Healthy Relationships Workshops, which were developed along cultural lines and responds to community feedback and needs<\/li><li>Community engagement activities at local, regional and state-wide events, such as the Yabun Festival and Koori Knockout, NAIDOC Week, National Reconciliation Week, the Sydney Mardi Gras Parade through the First Nations Float.<\/li><li>Creating spaces for LGBTQ+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to gather during other LGBTQ events and festivals.<br \/><br \/><\/li><\/ul><p>This work ensures ACON\u2019s health promotion efforts are guided by cultural knowledge, community voices and the lived experiences of LGBTQSB+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6568afb5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"6568afb5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-48574005 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"48574005\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4e259a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f4e259a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>The importance of visibility in regional NSW<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b4d3d02 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1b4d3d02\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-209\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rainbow-on-the-plains-sheila-blige-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1200\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rainbow-on-the-plains-sheila-blige-1.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rainbow-on-the-plains-sheila-blige-1-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rainbow-on-the-plains-sheila-blige-1-1024x410.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/rainbow-on-the-plains-sheila-blige-1-768x307.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p><p><strong>The Rainbow on the Plains festival in Hay, in the Riverina region of south-western NSW, began in 2018 by locals in the community to celebrate rural and remote LGBTQ+ communities.<\/strong><\/p><p>The variety of events emphasise inclusion, celebration, education, awareness and reflection.<\/p><p>ACON has worked alongside the festival since its beginnings, providing funding along with organisational and marketing support. Through this <br \/>partnership we increase access to HIV testing and prevention and promote our counselling and care coordination services. We have facilitated workshops, staffed stalls and marched in the annual parade.<\/p><p>&#8220;A lot of the queer people around the region love coming to our festival \u2013 and also a lot of others just want to show their support,\u201d says festival organiser Will Miller.<\/p><p>&#8220;We\u2019ve got quite a young community \u2013 they\u2019re obviously learning about themselves, their sexualities, and exploring things. So having that visibility there for them so they can ask the questions they need to ask in a safe place is really good.&#8221;<\/p><p>Rainbow on the Plains is making Hay a more inclusive welcoming community for everyone.<\/p><p>&#8220;I don\u2019t think we would\u2019ve got anywhere if we didn\u2019t have ACON come on in the first year and lifted the festival,&#8221; adds Will. \u201cThey gave us the exposure, and gave us an understanding of what the festival can be. ACON have been solid and consistent from day one.&#8221;<br \/><br \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-6224\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"5\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-6224\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> 5. Our communities can participate in safe, inclusive spaces across Australia <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6224\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-16da50b5 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"16da50b5\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-6224\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e6cf6d7 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"7e6cf6d7\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-640ea3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"640ea3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>People from our communities want to be fully included in workplaces, sporting and social groups, and when we receive services.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Many people aren\u2019t comfortable disclosing who they are in all parts of their life. LGBTQ+ people also continue to experience high rates of abuse online and are targets for hate crimes.<\/p>\n<p>ACON works with employers, government and community stakeholders to effect positive change through evidence-based programs, strategic partnerships, education and advocacy.<\/p>\n<p>We are committed to creating a safer and more inclusive community for the LGBTQ+ people. We do this by:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Helping employers develop strategies to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ employees through better practices. The annual Australian Workplace Equality Index (AWEI) and Employee Survey reached 35,000 respondents in 2025, which is one of the largest such surveys globally.<br><\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Advising sporting codes on practical steps they can take to make it safer for LGBTQ+ people to participate in sport. In 2025, the inaugural Pride in Sport Festival brought together over 3,000 participants from over 40 sporting organisations.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Working with NSW Police to improve responses to hate and implement the recommendations of the Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTQ Hate Crimes.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Promoting safety advice to community on use of dating apps following a spate of violent assaults targeting gay men on the apps.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Providing LGBTQ+ inclusion support to health and community care organisations to provide safe, respectful, high quality and inclusive services, driving towards equitable health and wellbeing for LGBTQ+ people across Australia.<\/p>\n<p>\u2022 Developing submissions, policy papers and position statements. In the past year, this included papers on HIV Decriminalisation, NSW HIV Strategy 2026-2030, NSW Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy, NSW Drug Summit, and the Inquiry into Loneliness in NSW.<\/p>\n<p>Also in 2025, Pride in Diversity released <a href=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/who-we-are-here-for\/aboriginal-people\/#pride-in-diversity-report-lgbtqasb-mob-and-work\">LGBTQASB+ Mob &amp; Work<\/a>, a groundbreaking report compiling research into First Nations workplace inclusion through an intersectional lens. We also launched a national forum bringing together organisational leaders and inclusion practitioners to discuss experiences and explore strategies addressing the negative discourse on diversity, equity, and inclusion.<\/p><p><br><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-211\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Report-launch-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Report-launch-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Report-launch-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Report-launch-1024x490.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Report-launch-768x367.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Report-launch-1536x735.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Report-launch-2048x980.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-727f7d0 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"727f7d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70066f67 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"70066f67\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>PRIDE IN DIVERSITY: 15 years of building better workplaces<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6fbf58f9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6fbf58f9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-206\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-14-1-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"2560\" height=\"950\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-14-1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-14-1-300x111.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-14-1-1024x380.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-14-1-768x285.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-14-1-1536x570.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-14-1-2048x760.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/><\/p><p><strong>For 15 years, <a href=\"https:\/\/prideindiversity.com.au\/\">Pride in Diversity<\/a> has been partnering with employers across Australia to improve equity and inclusion for LGBTQ+ people at work.<\/strong><\/p><p>Our approach is to work with employers to address the issues of highest importance to them and their staff.<\/p><p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/prideindiversity.com.au\/awei\/\"><strong>Australian Workplace Equality Index<\/strong><\/a> allows organisations to measure their progress, and our staff provide practical tools to help organisations along their way.<\/p><p>That includes:<\/p><ul><li>eLearning answering questions on gender and sexuality<\/li><li>Gender affirmation policies<\/li><li>Training on LGBTQ+ inclusive customer service<\/li><\/ul><p>Today, 9 out of 10 of Australia\u2019s largest employers are members of Pride in Diversity. Members employ or contract 25% of the Australian workforce, or over three million employees. Members include Westpac, Salesforce, KPMG Australia, SBS and Dexus.<\/p><p>Each year we recognise organisations for their progress and achievement. In 2025, 98 members achieved AWEI Bronze status, 40 achieved Silver status, 58 achieved or maintained Gold status and 26 members achieved Platinum status, having maintained their Gold AWEI status for four out of the last five years. Employers who achieve Pride in Diversity recognition also have higher levels of productivity and staff engagement.<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-146\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/pride-in-diversity-for-website.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1400\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/pride-in-diversity-for-website.png 1400w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/pride-in-diversity-for-website-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/pride-in-diversity-for-website-1024x380.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/pride-in-diversity-for-website-768x285.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70c094ef elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"70c094ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b0da839 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b0da839\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6bbd98f0 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6bbd98f0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29b94125 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"29b94125\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>OUR ENABLERS<\/h2><h4>Our impact is supported by a skilled and engaged workforce, prudent financial management, efficient systems and process, and strong partnerships and community connections.<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-215bc043 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"215bc043\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7760423f elementor-widget elementor-widget-n-accordion\" data-id=\"7760423f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;default_state&quot;:&quot;all_collapsed&quot;,&quot;max_items_expended&quot;:&quot;one&quot;,&quot;n_accordion_animation_duration&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;ms&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:400,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"nested-accordion.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-n-accordion\" aria-label=\"Accordion. Open links with Enter or Space, close with Escape, and navigate with Arrow Keys\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2000\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"1\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2000\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> OUR PEOPLE <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2000\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c1eec32 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c1eec32\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2000\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1eabcffe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"1eabcffe\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6176e0fc elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6176e0fc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1462\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/people1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-461\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/people1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/people1-300x171.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/people1-1024x585.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/people1-768x439.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/people1-1536x877.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/people1-2048x1170.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-183b2489 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"183b2489\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Our work is underpinned by a workforce of almost 200 staff and hundreds of volunteers who enact ACON\u2019s values of community, collaboration, compassion, courage and equity.<\/strong><\/p><p>The 2025 employee engagement survey showed staff were highly engaged with the organisation, its mission and values with ACON scoring 84% on engagement, 78% on progress and 71% on wellbeing. Additionally, staff rated ACON highly on values (90%), vision (90%) and health and safety (89%).<\/p><p>Diverse experiences and backgrounds are vital to the strength of our organisation. The survey showed a diverse workforce with 23% identifying as culturally and linguistically diverse.<\/p><p>We are also proud that a majority of staff have lived or living experiences in many areas of our work such as HIV and mental health.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-152\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/our-staff.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1400\" height=\"520\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/our-staff.png 1400w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/our-staff-300x111.png 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/our-staff-1024x380.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/our-staff-768x285.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1400px) 100vw, 1400px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1da47ca0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1da47ca0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Our work in supporting our people this year includes:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Building leadership capability and enabling career development with a new performance development and planning process<\/li>\n<li>A new digital management system to better unite volunteers with opportunities across various ACON departments, events and projects<\/li>\n<li>Development of a new framework to support diversity, inclusion and belonging<\/li>\n<li>Implementation of Proud and Ready, a paid, structured internship designed to provide real-world experience, mentorship, and industry connections, building confidence and job readiness in the health and community sector<\/li>\n<li>Big Days In, our annual staff development conference that explored our Impact Strategy, allowed staff to share knowledge and build new connections and facilitate collaborations<\/li>\n<li>Ongoing opportunities for learning and development including the provision of scholarship opportunities for further education and training<\/li>\n<li>Progress in building meaningful partnerships and fostering more culturally safe practices through the Reconciliation Action Plan, resulting in improvements in policies, culture, community engagement, workforce development, and data, research and procurement practices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a3fa596 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"4a3fa596\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-76d01a59 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"76d01a59\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-67dae02a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"67dae02a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>ACON&#8217;s Proud and Ready Program: Mikayla&#8217;s story<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5ee826e0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5ee826e0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"470\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-16-mikayla-kumar.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-153\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-16-mikayla-kumar.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-16-mikayla-kumar-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/page-16-mikayla-kumar-768x353.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-24166f22 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"24166f22\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>I have been part of ACON\u2019s Proud and Ready Internship program, working in the First Nations Health Programs team.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In my short time here, I have learnt more about myself and my community than I could ever put into words.<\/p>\n<p>I have learnt what it means to work in an all Blak team of staunch women, who are so dedicated and passionate about community care, <br>love, respect and dignity, and lead by example with that in everything they do, both at work, and in community.<\/p>\n<p>This has been such an honouring experience that I will forever hold and cherish for the rest of my life.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Mikayla Kumar<\/strong><br><strong>Wiradjuri Lesbian<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2001\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"2\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2001\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> OUR SYSTEMS &amp; PROCESSES <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2001\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4a193d65 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4a193d65\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2001\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5befeafa e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"5befeafa\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd45cf7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fd45cf7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Efficient, responsive and effective systems and processes are key to achieving our goals.<\/strong><\/p><p>We continue to improve our systems so that our work is sustainable and fit for purpose.<\/p><p>This financial year we:<\/p><ul><li>Signed on to a new human resource information system, which will significantly enhance and streamline our HR, payroll and leave management processes<\/li><li>Investigated efficiencies in financial process including the implementation of automated invoicing<\/li><li>Greater utilisation of Microsoft 365 business tools and teams solutions, including Teams calling and Power BI data visualisation<\/li><li>Internally assessed our cyber security risks, in accordance with ACSC\u2019s Essential Eight risk mitigation strategies.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2002\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"3\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2002\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> OUR COMMUNITIES &amp; PARTNERS <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2002\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c5902dd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"6c5902dd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-489a2baf elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"489a2baf\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Meaningful relationships with our communities and partners is central to driving our success.<\/strong><\/p><p>In 2024-25, we continued to strengthen our partnerships to ensure we were meeting the needs of our communities.<\/p><ul><li>We engaged our communities at Sydney Mardi Gras including at Fair Day, Parade and Party<\/li><li>We brought together communities in Greater Western Sydney at the annual Parramatta Pride Picnic<\/li><li>We supported a range of regional LGBTQ festivals and events including Coastal Twist, Newcastle Pride, Tamworth Pride and Broken Heel Festival<\/li><li>We continue to work with clinical and research partners to support the health of our communities.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<details id=\"e-n-accordion-item-2003\" class=\"e-n-accordion-item\" >\n\t\t\t\t<summary class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title\" data-accordion-index=\"4\" tabindex=\"-1\" aria-expanded=\"false\" aria-controls=\"e-n-accordion-item-2003\" >\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-header'><div class=\"e-n-accordion-item-title-text\"> OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES <\/div><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class='e-n-accordion-item-title-icon'>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-opened' ><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-minus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h384c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t\t<span class='e-closed'><svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-plus\" viewBox=\"0 0 448 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M416 208H272V64c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32h-32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v144H32c-17.67 0-32 14.33-32 32v32c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h144v144c0 17.67 14.33 32 32 32h32c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32V304h144c17.67 0 32-14.33 32-32v-32c0-17.67-14.33-32-32-32z\"><\/path><\/svg><\/span>\n\t\t<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/summary>\n\t\t\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2003\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3737a09f e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3737a09f\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t<div role=\"region\" aria-labelledby=\"e-n-accordion-item-2003\" class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-73f6ce32 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"73f6ce32\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64ed0184 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"64ed0184\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1867\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/redribbon1-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-474\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/redribbon1-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/redribbon1-300x219.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/redribbon1-1024x747.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/redribbon1-768x560.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/redribbon1-1536x1120.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/redribbon1-2048x1494.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-736cdc90 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"736cdc90\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>ACON is growing steadily to meet more needs of our communities. We seek to ensure our programs and services have clear strategic rationale and are financially sustainable.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In 2024-25 we reported an operating surplus of $98k \u2013 better than what was budgeted for. There was a reportable deficit of $132k after depreciation.<\/p>\n<p><strong>INCOME<\/strong><\/p><p>In 2024-25, revenue grew by 28% as a result of new grants in areas such as suicide prevention, domestic violence, cancer prevention, and LGBTQ health and wellbeing.<\/p>\n<p>We acknowledge the support of governments for their investment in our services and programs, which comprised 78.2% of operating income. Inclusion programs generated 14% of income through fee-for-service memberships and sponsorships.<\/p>\n<p><strong>EXPENDITURE<\/strong><\/p><p>Expenses grew in line with revenue. This year\u2019s underlying expenditure was $35.9 million, of which 57% was incurred by salaries, reflecting ACON\u2019s role as a human services organisation. 25% of expenditure was spent on programs and publicity, highlighting ACON\u2019s work in delivering social marketing and health promotion campaigns across Australia.<\/p>\n<p>ACON continues to implement effective budget management practices, ensuring cost control and regular review of income targets.<br><br><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-157\" src=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-11-141510.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"967\" height=\"781\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-11-141510.png 967w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-11-141510-300x242.png 300w, https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/impact-report\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Screenshot-2025-11-11-141510-768x620.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 967px) 100vw, 967px\" \/><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62059668 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62059668\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>OUR GENEROUS SUPPORTERS<\/strong><\/p><p>We acknowledge NSW Health as our major funder, and their continued leadership in ensuring the health and safety of our communities.<\/p><p>We are humbled by the generosity of our supporters. In 2024-25, fundraising income was $591k, which includes several bequests. We thank all those who donate our organisation directly or through fundraising initiatives.<\/p><p>Expanding our fundraising initiatives continues to be a priority for ACON. During 2024\/25 we have undertaken a review of our fundraising work, with new endeavours to be implemented in the coming year.<\/p><p><strong>FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY<\/strong><\/p><p>ACON\u2019s liquidity remains robust with healthy cash flow supporting operational needs. Strategic cash investment management has yielded a 40% increase in interest income, rising to $490K compared to the previous year.<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/ACON-Health-Limited-Annual-Report-FY25-Final20068030.2.pdf\"><strong>Detailed results are in the Annual Financial Report 2024-2025, available to download as a PDF here.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/details>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-146bf69d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"146bf69d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a99cbf7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"2a99cbf7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f8edcc8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f8edcc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Thank you for your support in 2024-2025!<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6838134a elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"6838134a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.acon.org.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/25007-Acon-Impact-Report_2025.pdf\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">DOWNLOAD THE IMPACT REPORT 2024-2025 PDF<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-477c5ace e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"477c5ace\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ACON IMPACT REPORT 2024-2025 In 2024-2025, we continued to fulfil our purpose to create opportunities for people in our communities to live healthier, more connected lives A message from our President and CEO For four decades, ACON has championed the health and wellbeing of our communities, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-513","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - 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