The departure of the NZ AIDS Foundation's South Island health promoter, who is moving to Wellington where his partner has a new job, will be a sad loss, according to the Foundation. Brent Mitchell has been with the NZAF for three years, and in that time his work has included the development of the hugely successful annual Christchurch Pride Week and the Red Parties for World AIDS Day. The NZAF says he has also worked on development and implementation of the Foundation's Safe Sex Txt service and has worked with GLBT groups around the South Island to combat homophobia in the wider community. "Brent's HIV prevention and supportive environment work with gay and bisexual men in Christchurch and throughout the South Island has been marvellous," says Gay Men's Health Team Co-ordinator Matt Creamer, "his departure is a sad loss for the Foundation." Creamer says the NZAF wishes Mitchell and his partner all the best for the future and "we both recognize and thank him for his ongoing commitment to HIV prevention in our communities." He says he has appreciated his lengthy notice period - Mitchell's last day with the Foundation is Friday November 2 - which will allow for "a lengthy notice period in order to allow for recruitment of a replacement Health Promoter and a smooth changeover." Mitchell was unavailable for comment today as he is on the Queenstown skifields during Gay Ski Week NZ. Ref: GayNZ.com (m)
Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff
First published: Friday, 7th September 2007 - 1:28pm