Rotary funds HIV research through scholarship

The Rotary Club of Sydney CBD has partnered with Australian Rotary Health and The Kirby Institute (UNSW) to grant a PHD Scholarship to Dr Damian Conway, from the Kirby Institute.

Dr Conway is working on the evaluation of rapid HIV testing in a range of settings and he is the principal investigator and project leader for the Sydney study of rapid HIV testing among men who have sex with men (MSM) in public sexual health clinics

Dr Conway’s PhD will review the barriers to HIV testing among MSM, determine how long it takes for men to receive HIV results from conventional testing, and assess the acceptability of both public sexual health clinic and community-based clinical services which offer HIV testing to MSM.

His research will also assess the cost of introducing rapid testing in sexual health clinics which could inform any future wider roll out of this technology.

“We are contributing $33,000 of which every dollar donated will go towards the scholarship fund – no admin costs – no glossy brochures and it is tax deductible," Joan Richard from the Rotary Club of Sydney CBD told SX.

“To raise these funds we are holding a “Jazz at the Lakes” fundraising Cocktail Party where Dr Conway together with The Hon. Michael Kirby AC CMG will address the gathering and will be happy to meet and talk with guests throughout the evening.”

Richard said she believed it was the first time an Australian Rotary group had given funds to promote HIV/AIDS awareness.

Jazz at the Lakes will be held Saturday, August 18, 7pm-11pm at The Lakes Golf Club, corner of King St & Vernon Avenue, Eastlakes. Dress code is lounge suit and evening dress. Tickets cost $75 with early bird rate of $65 before August 10. For more information, to make a donation, or to purchase a ticket, contact Michelle Calvert-Kilburn at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it