About us – old
Support for people living with HIV, disability, and aged care in Australia
Bobby Goldsmith Foundation provides comprehensive support for people living with HIV, disability, and aged care needs in Australia.
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What we do
Bobby Goldsmith Foundation (BGF) is Australia’s longest-running HIV charity, founded in 1984. It began when a group of friends came together to provide their dying mate, Bobby Goldsmith, with the care he needed to remain at home, ensuring his last weeks were as comfortable as possible. Bobby died with dignity, at home, where he wanted to be.
This act of compassion established an important precedent: if direct support could be provided for one person, it could be done for many. We are the legacy of that dedicated group of friends.
For more than 40 years, BGF has been supporting people living with HIV. We provide practical, emotional and financial support to individuals in New South Wales and South Australia. We are unique as the only not-for-profit in Australia offering frontline services and support to people living with HIV.
Recognising the evolving needs of our community, we have expanded our services to include disability support and aged care. Our support extends to all people, especially those living with HIV, the broader LGBTQIA+ community and anyone seeking progressive, supportive care.
BGF is a registered not-for-profit with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission. Every donation to BGF is tax-deductible, ensuring that we can continue to provide essential support to those in need.
We have no political or religious affiliations, just a deep-seated commitment to helping people live well on their terms through practical, tailored care.
We are also an equal opportunity employer dedicated to providing a safe, inclusive workplace and services.
Together, we can ensure no one has to face life’s challenges alone.
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Our impact.
We provide practical, emotional and financial support to people living with HIV in NSW and SA.
However, HIV populations are changing and so too are the needs of those who need our support.
For people living with HIV, the mental health impacts are a real and serious concern. Stigma, discrimination, social isolation, anxiety, depression and low self-esteem are some of the emotional challenges our clients can sometimes face.
BGF is here to provide a range of services that support people to live well on their terms. From the time they are diagnosed, we work with clients to address challenging circumstances that can often affect both their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Through a dedicated team, we are able to help people with complex needs so we can give them the support they need to improve their lives.
We also help community members access practical and financial services to help make their lives easier.
Financial counselling has been a staple of BGF for many years by supporting and advocating for people with HIV who are experiencing significant financial stress.
Our compassionate team also work with some of the most vulnerable who may be experiencing homelessness and/or alcohol/drug dependency issues.
BGF’s uplifting health and wellbeing programs allow participants to express themselves through creative ways while connecting with old friends and making new ones.
BGF also provide fee-for-service National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and aged care services to everyone. Whilst we specialise in disability support and aged care for people living with HIV and the broader LGBTQIA+ community, we are thrilled to be working with new clients from all walks of life who are seeking progressive and supportive care.
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Who was Bobby Goldsmith?
Bobby Goldsmith was a beloved member of Sydney’s gay community and became the first publicly recognised person in New South Wales to pass away from an HIV/AIDS related illness.
Diagnosed during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, when treatment options were extremely limited, Bobby and his partner were pioneers in advocating for better care for AIDS patients. His passing in 1984 led to the creation of Bobby Goldsmith Foundation.
Born in Hurstville, Sydney in 1946, Bobby’s career path was unconventional. After completing high school, he briefly pursued teaching before moving into public service, primarily because it allowed him to enjoy his recreational activities.
Bobby was a charismatic and generous figure in Sydney’s social scene, known for his excellent sense of humour. He had a passion for classical music and was a prominent social figure during a particularly vibrant period in Sydney’s history, often engaging in a busy schedule of night clubbing and dancing.
Beyond his social life, Bobby was deeply involved in gay rights activism. He participated in the first Mardi Gras march in 1978 and many other protests and meetings advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights.
Bobby combined his love for swimming with his activism by representing Australia in the inaugural Gay Olympics in San Francisco in 1982. At the Games, he played a crucial role in supporting other gay and lesbian athletes and personally won 17 of the Australian team’s 21 medals.
A few months after the Games, Bobby was diagnosed with HIV. With limited medical treatment available at the time, his partner Ken and many friends rallied to provide him with the dignity, love and care he needed at home.
They organised a fundraising event at the Midnight Shift on Oxford Street, raising over $6000—far more than was needed for Bobby’s care.
Bobby passed away on 18 June 1984, at his home in Surry Hills, marking the first publicly acknowledged HIV/AIDS death in New South Wales.
In his honour, the group decided to continue their efforts and in July 1984, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation was established to provide community-based care, financial and practical support for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Today, Bobby Goldsmith Foundation is Australia’s longest-running HIV charity, continuing to provide the same individualised care that Bobby’s friends first offered him all those years ago.
Who we are
We help people living with HIV to thrive.
Work with us
We remember
Honouring HIV advocates and community leaders
Remembering and honouring the legacy of David Polson, Terrilee Simpson and Simon Dunn, who made significant contributions to HIV advocacy and support.
Simon Dunn
Simon was BGF’s inaugural community ambassador, a former Australian athlete and a prominent voice in the LGBTQIA+ community.
He was a powerful ally to people living with HIV, through his work with Bobby Goldsmith Foundation and the Terrence Higgins Trust in the UK.
Simon believed the message about HIV was “not getting through” to younger generations and used his platform to raise awareness and promote understanding.
Simon passed away in January 2023.
Terrilee Simpson
Terrilee was a proud Wiradjuri woman and long-term survivor of HIV.
Twenty-five years ago, Terrilee learned she was HIV positive following the tragic loss of her daughter to an HIV-related brain infection. She had not been tested during pregnancy because she was not considered at risk—a misconception she spent her life challenging.
As a BGF Community Support Worker, Terrilee was a passionate advocate and leader for all people living with, and affected by HIV, especially First Nations people, heterosexuals, women and families.
Terrilee passed away in December 2023.
David Polson AM
A true giant in the HIV community, David was a tireless advocate, educator and inspiration to many.
As one of the first people in Australia diagnosed with HIV, David transformed his personal journey into one of purpose and progress. He participated in 28 HIV drug trials—more than almost anyone globally—helping pave the way for the life-saving treatments available today. He fought relentlessly to challenge HIV stigma and ensure no one faced HIV alone.
David’s impact is immeasurable and his legacy will continue to shape the future of HIV advocacy.
David passed away in February 2025.
