PHOTO: L-R Justice Michael Kirby AC, Dr. Terence McClafferty and Dr. Dino Hodge at the launch of ‘Don Dunstan – Intimacy & Liberty’ (Panos Couros photo)
Dr Dino Hodge was presented with a Contribution to the Community award in Darwin in June by NTAHC. NTAHC staff, board members, and community supporters joined together to recognise Dino’s long term and continued contribution to many communities and disciplines. His efforts have had a big impact in Darwin and beyond, and continue today.
From NTAHC’s Facebook page:
- Dino Hodge has been a member of NTAHC since 1989 and has served the organisation as a Board member and as a volunteer.
- In his role as Treasurer from 1989 he was instrumental in challenging the Northern Territory government, against significant opposition regarding the distribution of HIV funding from the Commonwealth Government resulting in an improvement in the flow of funds to the Council that provided a platform to employ an increasing number of people to take the Council to the next level in service delivery, and;
- During this time he was a member of the Councils Legal Working Party that spearheaded a reform agenda that saw improved legal frameworks for the sex industry, needle and syringe programs and improved services into prisons;
- This work also contributed to the Anti discrimination law introduced in 1990.
- Dino continues to support the Council in the areas of history and archiving
- Dino is co-editor of an oral history secondary school text-book on education and careers for Indigenous students. He has written three books: ‘The Fall Upward’, which explores Australian spiritual life, and ‘Did You Meet Any Malagas?’ which examines gay community life in Darwin, as well as his most recent biography on Don Dunstan ‘Intimacy & Liberty’ was launched at the Darwin Outgames by Justice Michael Kirby AC