Media Release and Photo Opportunity
Event: Launch of the Michael Kirby Centre for Public Health and Human
Rights, hosted by the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre
(VAC/GMHC)
Where: The Positive Living Centre, the former ‘Braille Library’, 51
Commercial Road, Prahran, Melbourne
When: Sunday, 29th August 201 – 3pm sharp
What:
The official launch of the Michael Kirby Centre for Public Health and
Human Rights.
An estimated 200 guests and dignitaries will celebrate, as Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of the Joint
United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) officially launches the Michael Kirby Centre for
Public Health and Human Rights. Guest of Honour, the Hon Michael Kirby AC CMG, and political satirist
and comedian Bryan Dawe will be in attendance.
Mike Kennedy, VAC/GMHC Executive Director said: ‘’It is with great honour and pride that we host the
launch of the Michael Kirby Centre for Public Health and Human Rights, at our Positive Living Centre. We
are certain that a number of our most vulnerable clients, living with HIV and AIDS, will benefit from the
outstanding work that will be undertaken through this new initiative.”
The Michael Kirby Centre for Public Health and Human Rights is a collaboration of interdisciplinary
scholars in Monash University’s School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine. The Centre is named after
the former Justice of the High Court of Australia, renowned human rights expert, advocate and defender who
will maintain an active involvement in its work and future direction.
The Centre comprises lawyers, ethicists, medical practitioners, scientists and others who undertake research
that critically examines the contribution of human rights and law to the realisation of good health,
particularly amongst vulnerable communities in Australia and throughout the world.
This exciting launch event will feature Bryan Dawe as MC, and a number of inspirational guest speakers
including:
Associate Professor Bebe Loff, Director of the Michael Kirby Centre for Human Rights, and a Senior
Research Fellow of the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation. Associate Professor Loff has worked in
various capacities for local legal services, the Victorian government and a number of United Nations agencies
including the World Health Organization, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and
UNAIDS.
Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS and Under Secretary-General of the United Nations. Since
his appointment in January 2009, Mr Sidibé has committed UNAIDS to supporting countries to achieve
universal access to HIV treatment and prevention through policy and programmes that are grounded in
human rights.
The Hon Michael Kirby, Australia’s longest serving judge. From 1996 until 2009 Michael Kirby was one of
the seven Justices of Australia's highest constitutional and appellate court, the High Court of Australia. He
has served in many international and United Nations positions. He is highly respected in Australia and
internationally, as an advocate of human rights, including for women, young people and sexual minorities.
ENDS
Monash University: Michael Williams, Researcher, (03) 99030998, michael.williams@monash.edu
VAC/GMHC: Mike Kennedy, Executive Director, 0419-725-235, mike @vicaids.asn.au
Official High Court of Australia
Portrait. Photograph (c) Ian Provest.
NEWS 
