Fri 15 Aug 2014 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Bruce Kilmister will retire at the end of the year Retiring Body Positive CEO Bruce Kilmister is being described as a man with "tireless commitment" and "incredible achievements", in tributes from some of the many people he's worked alongside over the years. Kilmister will step down from the HIV peer support organisation at the end of the year, after more than two decades of involvement. It's grown from a tiny shared office to running busy offices in Auckland and Wellington over his time in charge. Kilmister is also a former Auckland local body representative and was integral in Homosexual Law Reform campaign fundraising. He’s also served as a JP, celebrant a member of the Ponsonby Business Association board and part of the community group funding scheme COGS Auckland Committee Green MP and former New Zealand AIDS Foundation boss Kevin Hague says he's known Kilmister for a long time and has always been a big fan of his commitment and political shrewdness. Kevin Hague says we owe Kilmister an enormous debt of gratitude “All of us in the wider HIV community owe him an enormous debt of gratitude for his long term role with Body Positive,” Hague says. “Bruce has been the solid core of that organisation. Because of this Body Positive's achievements have been considerable. Without him it would certainly have struggled. I wish Bruce the very best for his well-deserved retirement.” Dr Peter Saxton from the Gay Men's Sexual Health research group says Kilmister's contribution to the lives of gay men has been immense. “Notably his persistent and eloquent advocacy for the rights and wellbeing of people living with HIV,” he says. “Bruce was always a strong supporter of local research, and brought nuance and sharp insights to our collective understanding of the complex factors influencing HIV transmission and the experience of being HIV positive. We wish him well in his deserved retirement and his presence will be sorely missed.” Fundraiser, outspoken HIV positive man and NZAF Life Member Jonathan Smith says “it must be acknowledged that the success of Body Positive is totally credited to the work of Bruce and his vision of what Body Positive stands for. “His dedication, tireless commitment and passion will leave BP in a very stable position as they move into the new challenges that living with HIV presents,” Smith says. “I wish him all the best for the future.” Karen Ritchie is hopeful the community gives him the farewell he deserves Karen Ritchie from the Cartier Trust, which funds funerals for those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses, says it's sad to see him go, as he has done marvellous work. “He's pulled a lot of things out of the woodwork to help people living with HIV. Half the programmes that are running today would never have been achieved if it hadn't been for him. I'd like him to be acknowledged for his hard work and given full respect for everything he's done.” Ritchie says in 2008 Body Positive had very little money, “and I know for a fact that Bruce took his own money from his credit card and paid his staff, for quite a while. Very few people will do that.” Ritchie says he has a world of knowledge and has forged strong connections with crucial people and organisations. “I would like to think and hope that when the changeover happens that somewhere Body Positive would utilise his skills, to still be involved to a point. “And I myself and the Cartier Trust would personally like to thank him for all the support.” Ritchie is hopeful the community gives him the farewell he deserves. Earlier today NZAF Executive Director Shaun Robinson said Kilmister was "one of the key advocates in the struggle against HIV." He added: "He has been tireless in his push for access to medications and ensuring that people living with HIV have a voice in all matters affecting their lives. "We wish him well in what he chooses to do next in his life.”
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 15th August 2014 - 8:58pm