Decision details

Moved by Councillor Worling, seconded by the Chair (the Lord Mayor) –

It is resolved that:

(A)        Council note:

(i)           at the end of August 2024, Nicolas Parkhill AM is stepping down after 18 years with ACON, 15 of those years as CEO;

(ii)         Parkhill joined ACON in 2006 as Director of Operations and has served as its CEO since 2009;

(iii)        in that time, he led several key initiatives which have contributed to significant declines in new HIV notifications in NSW. These include the establishment of NSW’s first community based rapid HIV testing service, and the development of the multi-award winning and internationally recognised ‘Ending HIV’ education framework;

(iv)        in partnership with other stakeholders, Parkhill was instrumental in the rollout and widespread adoption of the HIV prevention medication PrEP in NSW, as well as in efforts to get more people living with HIV to initiate treatment earlier to improve their health;

(v)         Parkhill led the expansion of ACON’s work into new areas including the establishment of ACON’s highly successful diversity and inclusion initiatives for employers, sporting bodies and health and wellbeing organisations; the development of cancer screening and prevention programs and services; and the implementation of a greater focus on the health of LGBTQ+ women, culturally and linguistically diverse people, and trans and gender diverse communities;

(vi)        over the years, Parkhill also successfully broadened ACON’s scope to include mental health, harm reduction, community safety, domestic and family violence, and ageing;

(vii)      Parkhill’s service to community health, particularly to people living with HIV, and to healthcare delivery, was recognised in 2022 when he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia;

(viii)     the City of Sydney extends its heartfelt gratitude to Parkhill for his tireless and unwavering passion and commitment to improving health outcomes for people living with HIV and LGBTQ+ people; and

(ix)        Michael Woodhouse has been appointed the new CEO, commencing mid-September 2024;

(B)        the Lord Mayor be requested to write to Nicolas Parkhill AM congratulating him on his achievements during his tenure at ACON and thanking him for his service to the City of Sydney and NSW; and

(C)        the Lord Mayor be requested to write to Michael Woodhouse to congratulate him on his appointment as the new CEO at ACON.

Carried unanimously.

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