Queen highlights AIDS victims

THE Queen has used an address in Sydney to highlight the plight of people suffering from HIV/AIDS and to urge her subjects to look after their health.

She attended the annual Commonwealth Day church service – held for the first time outside Great Britain – at St Andrew's Cathedral today.

The service included a procession of the flags of the Commonwealth nations, indigenous singers and Australian Idol winning pop star Anthony Callea, who performed The Prayer.

Delivering her Commonwealth Day message at the service, the Queen pointed out that half of the 40 million people infected with HIV/AIDS live in Commonwealth countries.

She also said many of the half a million annual deaths of women in pregnancy and childbirth could be prevented through adequate healthcare.

"Ignorance and lack of understanding about these issues sometimes breed uncertainty, even fear and the inclination to turn from those who are unwell," she said.

"But we know, for example, that someone who is HIV positive can, with proper support, lead a full and rewarding life."

The Queen urged individuals to look after their own health and to look at ways to improve the wellbeing of their communities.

"Poor health is sometimes linked to the way we choose to live," she said.

"But many of us can often take steps to eat better food or take more exercise.

"We can also, as communities, work to improve our surroundings to make them cleaner, safer places in which to live."

The Queen pointed to Commonwealth Games athletes as role models for those who seek to take better care of their health.

"As we watch our finest sportsmen and women compete, we will see clearly what exercise at the very highest level can contribute to both body and spirit," she said.

Commonwealth Day was formerly known as Empire Day and is celebrated on the second Monday of March.

Before 1977, it was celebrated on May 24, the birthday of Queen Victoria.

Few Australians are aware of the date of Commonwealth Day, but in decades past many government and Protestant schools commemorated Empire Day and Catholic schools celebrated St Patrick's Day.

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