This year marks a significant milestone for Melbourne’s HIV-positive community: the 40th anniversary of the first Candlelight Memorial. The sense of occasion is heightened not only by the anniversary itself but also by the return of Tom Carter, one of the original co-organisers. His participation honours both the legacy and enduring relevance of the event
The Candlelight Memorial is not just about remembering those lost to HIV/AIDS. It also serves as a rallying point for community members, allies, and advocates. This year’s theme, “Don’t Forget to Remember,” carries particular poignance. Despite decades of progress in treatment, prevention, and public awareness, stigma remains a stubborn and damaging barrier. As organisers reflect, “Many things have changed in 40 years—and many things haven’t.”
Living Positive Victoria, the organisation hosting this year’s event, has deep roots in the HIV advocacy landscape. Initially a program of the Victorian AIDS Council (now Thorn Harbour Health), it became an independent body around 1988 and has been championing the rights, health, and voices of people living with HIV ever since.
As Melbourne prepares to mark four decades since its first Candlelight Memorial at Flinders St Station, the message is clear: remembrance must go hand in hand with action. Honouring the past, celebrating community resilience, and fighting stigma are more than just themes—they are enduring calls for compassion, awareness, and justice.
