Melbourne, VIC
Australia
Fairfield, Yarra Bend Road, NMIT behind the Thomas Embling Forensic Hospital Fairfield AIDS Memorial Garden since 22 April 1988
unknown
In the mid 1980s, the Victorian AIDS Council and the management of Fairfield Hospital proposed the establishment of a garden and walk for the use of Fairfield Hospital patients and their families, particularly those with HIV. Construction began 1987 with materials and professional services provided by volunteers, donators, the Victorian AIDS Council, Northcote City Council and Fairfield Hospital. The Fairfield AIDS Memorial Garden was opened 22 April 1988.
The garden was developed in native bushland behind the former Fairfield Hospital nurses' quarters as a place of tranquillity and respite for patients in the Fairfield AIDS Ward and their families and friends. The garden featured several Victorian style garden seats which were donated by families who had lost members through AIDS, a gazebo, rockeries and plantings of local indigenous plants.
After the Fairfield Hospital closed in 1996, there were quite a few years when there were no occupants on the site and the garden fell into disrepair.
As part of the agreement to purchase the bulk of the former hospital's site in 2004, the Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE (NMIT) accepted responsibility for the care and maintenance of the garden. In October 2010, NMIT partnered with the Victorian AIDS Council/Gay Men’s Health Centre to sponsor projects and activities to encourage awareness among both communities.
On 25 November 2010, NMIT re-dedicated the Fairfield AIDS Memorial Garden by a big reunion ceremony bringing together the families of those men and women who died of AIDS; the staff members of Fairfield Hospital, and those other organisations who cared for them; and our community leaders who responded to the epidemic in the early days.

Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE & Victoria AIDS Council