Thorne Harbour Health was made for you.
Since 1983, we’ve stood proudly by our LGBTIQA+ communities and people living with HIV. We fight for justice, support those who need it, and deliver care without stigma or discrimination.
We are a community-controlled health organisation governed by our members and accountable to the communities we serve.
We know how important it is to feel understood. That’s why we believe care should be rooted in community.
We envision a world where our communities are healthy and live safely, with dignity and wellbeing.
Our mission
To deliver community-led and culturally appropriate health and wellbeing programs informed by and responsive to our communities, always advocating to reduce stigma and discrimination.
Our goals
- Expand the reach and impact of our programs
- Exercise trusted leadership
- Develop our communities
- Build a robust and highly adaptable organisation for the future
Community works. We’ve got the numbers to prove it.
View our impact
The communities we serve
At Thorne Harbour Health, the communities we serve are made up of unique people with diverse backgrounds and experiences who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, people with innate variations of sex characteristics, trans and gender diverse, non-binary, intersex, queer, other sexualities, gender bodily diverse people, and all people living with HIV.
A brief history of Thorne Harbour Health
First Case
Australia’s first AIDS death occurred in Melbourne at Prince Henry’s Hospital.
First Response
Gay and lesbian activists formed our organisation, then the Victorian AIDS Action Committee, and launched our first educational campaign.
Funding Secured
We secured funding to establish an HIV/AIDS specialist medical clinic. We also established our first volunteer team.
Ongoing Support
Our David Williams Fund began to support the financial, physical, and emotional wellbeing of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Renewed Hope
A new treatment emerged to help treat HIV/AIDS, but cases were still increasing.
The Australian Government launched the infamous 'Grim Reaper' campaign, which terrified Australians and stigmatised gay men and people living with HIV.
Safe Sex Matters
Our controversial campaign promoted safe sex to young gay men. Meanwhile, we grew our Community Support Program.
Community Protests
Fairfield Hospital, which provided excellent care for people with HIV/AIDS, was set to close. Our communities joined to protest.
Scientific Breakthroughs
A new drug arrived, marking the beginning of HIV/AIDS combination therapies.
Growing Our Impact
We opened the Positive Living Centre. Our Community Support Program provided hundreds of care teams for people diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.
Meaningful Changes
Fairfield Hospital closed, but new treatments were effective. In Victoria, it became illegal to discriminate against people living with HIV/AIDS.
Valuable Partnerships
MAC Cosmetics began funding our David Williams Fund, which it continues to do today.
Evolving Challenges
The number of new HIV cases in Australia began to rise. The turn of the century presented challenges for reaching a new generation.
Room to Grow
The Positive Living Centre moved to a larger space. Here, we improved services for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Expanding Our Reach
We established Gay and Lesbian Health Victoria, with help from the Australian Research Centre in Sex Health & Society and Women’s Health Victoria.
Drama Downunder
We launched the Drama Downunder. It is now Australia's longest running sexual health campaign.
National Outreach
We helped found the National LGBT Health Alliance to improve the health and wellbeing of LGBTIQA+ people in Australia.
Our Anniversary
We celebrated 25 years of achievements within Victoria's LGBTIQA+ community.
Telling Our Story
We published the book Under the Red Ribbon to tell our story.
New Services
We secured funding to develop alcohol and other drug services aimed at LGBTIQA+ communities.
Crossing State Lines
We began operating in Adelaide, South Australia, where we still support our communities today.
Women’s Health
We began supporting LGBTIQA+ women in women's health, alcohol and other drugs, family violence, and mental health.
Pioneering Healthcare
We opened the Equinox clinic, Australia’s first peer-led Trans and Gender Diverse Health Service.
Online Outreach
We launched Emen8 alongside the AIDS Council of NSW – an online sexual health and wellbeing initiative aimed at gay and bi men.
A New Name
On our 35th anniversary, we changed our name to Thorne Harbour Health. This name honours beloved community leaders Alison Thorne and Keith Harbour.
Connection and Discretion
Our CONNECT program began offering free, rapid HIV self-testing kits through discreet vending machines and online platforms.
Our board
The board sets our strategic plan and policy and approves plans for business activities. Members are also responsible for handling legal issues, financial management, promotion, reporting, and accountability.
Thorne Harbour Health is accredited under the QIC Health and Community Services (QIC) Standards and the Rainbow Tick Standards.
The Thorne Harbour Health Homecare program is accredited under the NDIS Practice Standards, and the THH Family Violence and Housing+ Programs are registered under the Social Services Regulator. Additionally, Thorne Harbour Health Centre Clinic and Equinox are accredited under the RACGP Standards for general practices.
Board Policies
BPM-001 - Code of Conduct and Directors Responsibilities
BPM-002 - Board Work Plan Committees and Office Bearers
BPM-003 - Board and CEO Relationship Policy
BPM-004 - Addressing Conflict Grievance and Complaints Policy
BPM-005 - Board Financial Governance Policy
BPM-006 - Risk and Quality Policy
BPM-007 - Managing Conflict of Interest Policy
BPM-008 - Board Induction Policy
BPM-009 - Delegations of Authority
BPM-010 - Investment Policy
BPM-011 - Strategic Planning Framework
Risk Appetite Statement
Want to help Thorne Harbour Health achieve our goals?
Make a tax-deductible donation to help us address HIV and create a safer, fairer world for our communities.
