World AIDS Day

Show your support for people living with and affected by HIV.

What is Worlds AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day is an international day of awareness, giving the public and organisations the opportunity to show their support for people affected by HIV/AIDS.

This includes:

Education on the latest advances in treatment, prevention and care.
Reducing and eliminating stigma that still exists for people living with HIV.
Remembering those who have died from AIDS related illnesses.

Ways you can get involved

We welcome the involvement of individuals, groups and organisations, with a variety of ways for each to take part in the day.

Register to Run

Join the Red Ribbon Run! Run, walk, or stroll — bring your friends and start a fundraising team.

Sponsor our Run

Choose a package that suits your organisation. Become an official sponsor, host a stall, or donate items to our Runner's bags!

Donate

Every contribution helps us continue vital services for people living with HIV.

Get work involved

Host a stall, fundraising activity in your office, or help make red ribbons with your team.

Volunteer

Join our annual street appeal! Collect donations and hand out red ribbons.

When is Worlds AIDS Day?

World AIDS Day is held every year on December 1st.

The first World AIDS Day took place in 1988. Thorne Harbour Health is now the foremost organisation in both Victoria and South Australia for campaigning on World AIDS Day, taking to the streets each year to raise funds and awareness.

What is the World AIDS Day Theme?

Thorne Harbour Health’s individual theme for the day is HIV Still Matters

The theme for World AIDS Day is set by the World AIDS Day Campaign's Global Steering Committee, with individual countries also choosing their own theme.

Thorne Harbour Health's individual theme for the day is HIV Still Matters, which forms the basis of a yearly campaign both online and on street corners around Melbourne and Adelaide.

What is the Victorian Red Ribbon?

The red ribbon has become the global symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness.

First worn in 1991 by the Visual AIDS Group in New York, the following year the uniquely 'Victorian Red Ribbon' was created by Brent Lacey. While it was cheaper to produce, the unique shape offered another more significant point of difference - the inverted 'V' design is to allow the ribbons to be turned upside down a create a 'V' for 'Victory' the day a cure for HIV is discovered.

In 2022, we introduced the Red Ribbon Making Workshops to continue that community legacy, and provide ways for organisations and businesses to get on board.