The Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug User League (AIVL) Network Awards

This year, at the AIVL Health and Human Rights Summit, we are launching the Australian Injecting and Illicit Drug User League (AIVL) Network Awards.

The awards are an opportunity to celebrate the talent of our peer workforce and their vital contributions to advancing harm reduction practices and principles through their lived-living experience and expertise, benefiting the communities of people who use drugs.

Jenny Kelsall was a dedicated community leader who, before her passing, was the Executive Officer of Harm Reduction Victoria. Prior to this Jenny demonstrated to the harm reduction sector that people who use drugs are integral and necessary in our responses, working in world leading programs and organisations including the Centre for Harm Reduction and Turning Point. She was a generous and caring friend, colleague and mentor to many, as well as a fierce advocate for our community: an unapologetic woman who injected drugs, cared for a family, contributed to the arts, and worked to improve the lives of people who use drugs. Jenny left a legacy of leadership, peer-based research and education initiatives across Australia and Asia in the areas of HIV, viral hepatitis & injecting drug use spanning over nearly three decades. 

Criteria for award nominations 

The winner of the Jenny Kelsall Lifetime Achievement Award is a member of the community who has shown longstanding dedication to evidence-based harm reduction and the holistic wellbeing of people who use drugs. Someone who throughout their life and career, has been a strong advocate, collaborative, empowered and nurtured others and driven community-led responses.

The Jude Byrne Peer Advocate of the Year Award  

Jude Byrne was a mighty and fearless advocate in the Australian and International Drug User Movement. In Australia, Jude was present throughout the harm reduction and hepatitis C research and advocacy space. Jude held various positions in Australian Drug User Organisations, including AIVL, her influence was also felt internationally. Her unapologetic advocacy impacted people who inject drugs, people living with hepatitis C, people in prison, people on opioid dependence treatment and older people who use drugs. Jude was a founding member of INPUD and a mentor to many people who use drugs throughout the world. She was admired for her skills driving committees and social change, fiercely representing the community and elevating the voice of people who use drugs in multiple spaces including policy, research, health and human rights. 

Criteria for award nominations 

The winner of the Jude Byrne Peer Advocate of the Year Award is a member of the community who has shown extraordinary advocacy skills in the last 12 months. Examples of this can be individual advocacy on behalf of others or system advocacy in relation to cultural change, policies or laws.   

Peer Worker of the Year

Criteria for award nominations 

The Peer Worker of the Year Award recognises the outstanding work of an individual peer worker. The winner of the Peer Worker of the Year award is someone who has profoundly, positively impacted the community in the last 12 months.  

Harm Reduction Program of the Year 

Criteria for award nominations 

The Harm Reduction Program of the Year Award recognises the outstanding work of a team or individual driving. a program, service or initiative that has profoundly positively impacted the community in the last 12 months.  

Nominate for the AIVL Network Awards

How to Nominate
You can nominate yourself or someone else for any of the award categories below. To nominate, simply fill out the online form. In your nomination, describe why the person or program deserves the award in 300 words or less.

Submit Your Nomination
Nominations are open now until Thursday 5th Dec 2024. Take this opportunity to highlight the exceptional power of our harm reduction peers.