Wayne Otter listens to to one of the many speeched of praise. Wayne Otter, who two weeks ago resigned as manager of the NZ AIDS Foundation's counselling and support centre in Auckland, was this evening praised and farewelled by friends and colleagues. In an emotionally charged gathering Otter, who joined the Burnett Centre in its infancy eighteen years ago, was lauded by people with HIV and those who support them as "one of the great ones" and "someone who went the distance hand in hand" with many who eventually died due to HIV. NZAF Trust Board chair Alastair Cameron, in a speech forwarded from Wellington, commended Otter's "passion and commitment." "Wayne's management of the NZAF Burnett Centre through the changing years of the HIV epidemic has been a considerable achievement," Cameron said. "From bedside counselling and palliative care for guys dying from AIDS, the turbulent years of advocating for anti retroviral treatments and then support and care for people living, not dying, with HIV, Wayne's legacy is a centre that is highly regarded among the communities we serve and a lifeline to many." Other speakers praised Otter, who has been unwell for some time, for his forthrightness, unselfish advocacy and heart.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 14th December 2011 - 8:12pm