Basically, 'Waltzing Matilda' tells of a swagman camping by a billabong. When the landowner's men come, he jumps in the water and drowns rather than be caught. The song has become an important part of Australian folklore.
The story behind 'Waltzing Matilda' involves a swagman who decides to rest by a billabong. When the owner's men come looking for him, things get complicated. This song has become an emblem of Australian identity and has many layers of meaning.
The theme of power and politics also plays a part. There were political and power struggles that affected how the epidemic was dealt with. Different groups, like the medical community and politicians, had their own agendas which sometimes got in the way of effectively addressing the AIDS situation.
There are likely many important characters, but one might be the doctors and researchers who were on the front lines trying to understand and combat the disease. They play a crucial role in the story as they deal with the medical aspects and try to get the attention of the authorities.
I'm not entirely sure specifically about a 'and the band played on success story'. 'And the Band Played On' was a book about the AIDS epidemic in the United States. It might be that this 'success story' is related to how the awareness and handling of the epidemic eventually led to some positive outcomes in terms of research, support systems, or policy changes. But without more context, it's hard to say precisely.