A Celebration of Huntington’s Victoria

Huntington’s disease awareness, research, and support in Australia is continuously growing with each year bringing us one step closer to a cure.  Here you can witness the efforts of Huntington’s Victoria as well as those who have been there throughout this journey. Let’s continue to raise awareness, provide support, and advance our understanding of Huntington’s disease.

With 50 years of service to the Huntington’s disease community, we have…

Supported over

members of the Huntington’s disease community to date

Responded to over

enquiries

Raised over

dollars for Huntington’s disease.

This detailed timeline showcases the journey and progress that Huntington’s Victoria has made over the last 50 years, and recognises those who helped to get us to where we are today. 

Huntingtons-Victoria-First-Established-Australia

1973

Formation of Australian Huntington’s Disease Association Victoria. The organisation becomes the first of its kind in Australia and the third internationally.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Housing

1976

First Family Retreat was held in Torquay, providing short-term relief to families affected by Huntington’s Disease. This retreat becomes the first of its kind in the world.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Woody-Guthrie

1977

Sponsored the premiere of the film “Bound for Glory” at Rivoli Theatre in Camberwell. The film is based on Woody Guthrie’s autobiography. All proceeds from the premiere and a Woody Guthrie album went to the Australian Huntington’s Disease Association Victoria.

Huntingtons-Victoria-First Office

1978

The organisation secures its first office space on the 15th Floor, 60 Albert Rd, South Melbourne.

Huntingtons-Victoria-First-HD-Conference

1979

Hosted the first Huntington’s Disease Conference in Australia in collaboration with the University of Melbourne and Wesley Central Mission.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Government-Grant

1981

Received the first successful State Government Grant allowing the organisation to employ a Welfare Officer.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Amaryllis

1983

Adopted the International icon for Huntington’s Disease, the amaryllis.

Huntingtons-Victoria-State-Government-Grant

1985

Received the first successful State Capital Government Grant for a Group Residence at Jellicoe St, Box Hill South.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Workers

1986

Recognised as a service delivery agency, allowing for the employment of full-time welfare workers, a part-time office worker, and a part-time bus driver.

Huntingtons-Victoria-20th-Birthday

1993

Australian Huntington’s Disease Association Victoria turns 20 years old.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Tomasetti-House

1995

Tomasetti House, a group residence, is built with the generosity of the Tomasetti family at 5 Summerhill Road, Glen Iris.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Ashwood-Office

1995

AHDA purchases a property at 607 Warrigal Rd, Ashwood, becoming the association’s home until 2009.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Article

1996

AHDA publishes its first article, “Huntington’s Disease: An Update,” in the Australian Social Work Journal.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Freedom-Of-Choice

1997

Released the first documentary in Australia on genetic testing, titled “Freedom of Choice”.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Road-Show

2000

Launched the HD Awareness Road Show, covering 31,000kms and educating the community about genetic testing and the impact of Huntington’s Disease.

Huntingtons-Victoria-May-Awareness

2004

Inaugural National Huntington’s Disease Awareness Day.

 

Huntingtons-Victoria-Working-Papers

2004

Published Working Papers on Huntington’s Disease & The Existing Service System in Victoria.

Published “Kaleidoscope” with funding from Ivy Ayris and Norman Gunn bequest.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Flexible-Support-Package-Pilot-Grant

2006

Received a one-off grant for the Flexible Support Package Pilot funding from the Department of Human Services.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Second-Conference

2006

Hosted our second National HD Conference in Melbourne with the theme “Another piece of the puzzle.”

Huntingtons-Victoria-Restructured

2007

Restructured AHDA into Support Services, Service Development, and Consumer Advisory Committee.

Huntingtons-Victoria-State-Government-Funding

2007

Received state government funding for the first HD specific Individualised Support Packages.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Rebranding

2008

Rebranded as Huntington’s Victoria, launching a new website and logo.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Hawthorn-Office

2010

Relocated to new premises in Hawthorn, chosen for its central position and proximity to public transport, freeway access, and HD specialist clinic locations.

Huntingtons-Victoria-HD-Conference

2011

Melbourne hosted the World Congress on Huntington’s Disease. Huntington’s Victoria was a member of the organising committee and hosted the Family Day in line with this congress.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Gala-Ball-Icon

2012

Hosted the inaugural Annual Gala Ball.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Accredited

2013

Accredited by the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.

Provided NDIS services and participated in the NDIS Pilot Program in Barwon.

Huntingtons-Victoria-HD-Conference

2013

Launched the Huntington’s Community Conference, inspired by the 2011 Huntington’s Disease World Congress Family Day.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Light-It-Up

2017

Joined the global “Light It Up 4 HD” campaign by lighting up the Melbourne City Town Hall in Blue, being the first Australian Huntington’s disease association to take part.

Launched “Move 4 HD,” a dance initiative celebrating a person’s ability to move and participate.

Huntingtons-Victoria-Go-Blue

2019

Launched the “Go Blue 4 May 22” campaign to build awareness of Huntington’s disease.

Huntingtons-Victoria-ILC-Grant

2020

Awarded an NDIS ILC Grant for “Huntington’s Community Connect” an online peer-to-peer forum.

Huntingtons-Victoria-HCC-Launch
Huntingtons-Victoria-Enablement-Award

2022

Adjudicated an Enablement Award for The Most Outstanding Specialist Community Organisation.

Huntingtons-Victoria-50th-Birthday

2023

Celebrated 50 years of service to the Huntington’s Disease Community.