Celebrating Excellence: Inaugural AIVL Network Awards Recipients 2024

Jane Dicka (Harm Reduction Victoria)

Jane Dicka received this award in recognition of her decades-long dedication to creating a less hostile world for people who use drugs (PWUD). Jane’s ethic of care and generosity of spirit have made her an exceptional friend, mentor, and leader. She demonstrates courage and honesty by sharing her experiences, including struggles and lessons learned, which involve significant emotional labour. Her work organising a regional collaborative for PWUD highlights her commitment to ensuring their voices shape policy and drive change. Jane’s advocacy on both domestic and international stages exemplifies her devotion to improving lives and building inclusivity. A close friend of Jenny Kelsall, this award is a fitting tribute to her remarkable legacy.

Peta Gava (Peer Based Harm Reduction WA)

Peta Gava’s fierce advocacy for the Western Australian community earned her this well-deserved recognition. Peta constantly reflects on how to achieve the best outcomes for the people she supports. Her unwavering dedication is symbolised by the sign above her desk that reads, “What would Jude do?”—a daily reminder of her commitment to making a difference.

Margaret Randle (SA Harm Reduction Peer Services)

Margaret “Margie” Randle is a cornerstone of harm reduction efforts at a busy NSP site in Adelaide. Known for her non-judgmental and pragmatic approach, Margie’s expertise and compassion consistently receive glowing feedback from service users. She was instrumental in establishing the AOD Peer Network with SANDAS, providing a vital space for peer workers to connect and share experiences.

Over the past year, Margie has fostered community among NSP service users, organising events like International Overdose Awareness Day and collaborating on weekly hepatitis C clinics. Following the loss of a beloved peer, Margie stepped up to continue building relationships, recruiting volunteers, and engaging with the local drug-using community in meaningful ways.

CheQpoint (QuIHN & QuIVAA)

CheQpoint’s drug-checking service represents a milestone for the sector in Queensland, driven by the collaboration and advocacy of multiple organisations. This program has made a significant impact, filling a critical need and setting an example for harm reduction initiatives nationwide. A huge shout-out to the entire CheQpoint team for their incredible work.

Emily Ebdon (Tasmanian Users Health and Support League)

Emily’s powerful and exceptional visual work and artistic genius are anchored in her peer experience, passion for advocacy, and genuine love of the PWUD community. This transpires in everything she does and the creative expertise she has generously shared with AIVL, INPUD and TUHSL has inspired our community locally, nationally and internationally. Emily supports campaigns, leads the AIVL National Peer Network and promotes peer-based harm reduction in Tasmania. She is deeply deserving in so many ways of receiving this award to honour her Peer Artist excellence. Every day, Emily reminds us that being caring, compassionate and sharing your authentic self can change the world one drawing at a time.

Tim Piatkowski (QuIVAA)

Tim is an incredibly inspiring peer leader taking the academic world by storm with his innovative brilliance, everlasting dedication for his community of people who use Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIEDs). Tim works to ensure the health, equity, and wellbeing of all people who use drugs. From implementing the world-first drug checking trial for people who use PIEDs in Queensland and increasing awareness of this important Australian community as a researcher, to supporting the overdose prevention report, programs and advocacy of QuIVAA as a Director. Tim is a force to be reckoned with, while being a genuine, kind and supportive peer and community member that AIVL wanted to recognise through a community award for his excellence.