Marie - Health Promotion Officer, Lesbian Health Marie's role is to ensure the Lesbian Health Project provides a strategic response to the identified needs of lesbians and same sex attracted women living in the Northern Rivers. Through the project, Marie works with the community to create relevant health promotion campaigns, community development projects, social opportunities and fundraising events. Marie also works with local health & community services and the general community to promote understanding of the needs of lesbians and same sex attracted women and provides training to improve service delivery. The Lesbian Health Project is a one stop shop for up-to-date information and referrals on lesbian health issues. Marie has 9 years community development experience within the Northern Rivers GLBT community, including 4 years experience working with the Southern Cross University Student Representative Council and 6 years working and volunteering for Topical Fruits GLBT Social Club. Marie is in Tuesday, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
	Rose - Pink LACE Project Rose has worked at ACON in a number of different project roles and is currently our Pink LACE project Officer. This project aims to reduce the impact of cancer on lesbians and same sex attracted women through identifying barriers to service provision and support networks. Pink LACE is responding to the results of a local survey into the needs experiences of available services for lesbians and same sex attracted women with cancer.
	Neil - HIV Health Maintenance Officer Neil works full-time on the strengthening of the People with HIV (PWH) community in the Northern Rivers to live well with HIV as a chronic medical condition. He provides an information service about HIV treatments (especially antiretroviral drug treatments) and other living well information, and researches and writes printed and web-based health information resources. He provides one-on-one information, organises group education sessions and in general promotes the health of PWH to enable them to make the best possible choices to develop and maintain good health. Neil liaises with other health care services to ensure PWH have access to the best quality services which are informed about and sensitive to their needs.
	Roy - Client Services Officer Roy provides intake and assessment for all new clients and facilitates provision of support for people living with and affected by HIV, and also GLBT community members. Care coordination encourages clients to achieve positive health outcomes through information provision, personal skills development and appropriate referrals. The role includes liaising and advocacy with services such as Centrelink, Housing NSW, home and community care services and legal referrals to improve the quality of life of clients. Roy also coordinates and provides training on HIV and GLBT awareness to service providers in the area.
	Sioux - Administration and Volunteer Officer Sioux works full-time coordinating Front of House and all the aspects of office administration that keep the Northern Rivers office running. Hers is the first face you see when entering the Northern Rivers office, along with the community members who volunteer at Front of House. Sioux’s role includes coordinating customer service, finances, purchasing, layout of the newsletter and other promotional material and IT support. Sioux is also responsible for the recruitment, training and supervision of volunteers, the coordination of the Needle and Syringe Program, and has the additional roles of Occupational Health and Safety Officer and First Aid Officer.
	Dermot - Manager, Northern Rivers Office Dermot Ryan is the Manager of ACON Northern Rivers which includes our Coffs Harbour Outreach Office. Dermot has 20 years experience in the HIV health promotion and sexual health field including over 3 years as Manager of the National Education and Indigenous projects at the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations (AFAO) and 18 months as manager of ACON's Education Project. Dermot leads all aspects of the Northern Rivers office’s operations including partnerships with other service providers and community organisations, staff development, budget and finance development and business planing and development. He also manages statistics, project work, resources and supports fundraising. Dermot's vast experience in a range of health promotion and management positions greatly assists the work of the office to be an active part of the local community. Dermot encourages all members of the community to make contact with ACON at the office or directly with staff.
	Rose - Safe Place Project Office Rose works on a casual and occasional basis to assist with supporting and training the 70+ organisations who participate in ACON’s Safe Place program.
	Tobin Saunders - Community Health Promotion Officer Tobin works full-time with the GLBT community focusing on gay men and other men who have sex with men. He provides Health Promotion and outreach through developing and promoting sexual health and other campaigns through the local branch newsletter, Rainbow News, local media and community access spaces. Specific Outreach includes our annual beach outreach program run at Broken head in Byron in collaboration with National Parks and Wildlife Service.  Community development includes supporting organisations such as Tropical Fruits, a GLBT social and support group which hosts four major GLBT parties each year, and working with local businesses and organisations that are part of the Safe Place project.
	Anabell Thoener - Health Promotion Outreach Officer Anabell works part-time with the GLBT community and PLWHA as a Health Promotion Outreach Officer acting as a referral point for those who need support and assistance accessing services, and providing health promotion services not only to ACON's communities, but also to local services and businesses, and the wider community. This includes training and education for mainstream service providers, running educational and community development activities, and promoting sexual health and other campaigns through the local branch newsletter, local media and community access spaces.
	Renia Gryc - Coordinator Counselling Services Renia is the Coordinator of the pilot counselling project based in the Northern Rivers. Renia leads a small team of counsellors to provide face-to-face and/or telephone and online counselling services and, where appropriate, therapeutic groups to people with and affected by HIV and the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender. Renia also fosters local relationships with counselling and psychotherapy schools and facilities to acquire links for annual volunteer recruitment.  Counselling is offered on a short term basis ( 6-12 sessions)

More info

Contact: ACON Northern Rivers

Tel: (02) 6622 1555
Freecall: 1800 633 637

Email: northernrivers@acon.org.au