Who was Bobby Goldsmith?
Bobby Goldsmith was a cherished member of Sydney’s gay community whose legacy sparked Australia’s longest-running HIV charity.
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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.
