Media Release
Monday 10 February 2025
It is with great sadness that Positive Life NSW acknowledges the passing of David Polson AM, earlier this morning.
David lived with HIV for over 40 years, and achieved outstanding success in making a significant contribution to the HIV sector and the community of people living with HIV. As one of the first 400 Australians to be diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 1984, and under the care of the late Professor David Cooper, David participated in 28 drug trials to help advance HIV treatment research.
As David said, “when I was first diagnosed, I made a pledge I would do anything I could to help medical science increase its knowledge about HIV/ AIDS. Anything. I’m not a doctor or a medical professional, so all I could do was participate in the trials when they came up – and that’s what I did.”
For almost 30 years, David was an inspirational speaker and tireless advocate, empowered by his quest to reduce HIV stigma and discrimination around HIV/AIDS. By educating and sharing his personal story of resilience, hope, and courage, he vigorously dispelled myths surrounding HIV/AIDS, promoted a healthy and positive life while living with HIV, and replaced people’s fear and ignorance with understanding and acceptance. His mantra for life was the acronym H.O.P.E., which stands for Humour, Optimism, Perseverance, and Energy. David embodied all of these traits and so much more.
Jane Costello, Positive Life NSW CEO says, “David was a very dear, personal friend and his passing has left a huge hole in my heart. He was an inspiration to us all, and his legacy will never be forgotten and always honoured.”
As well as being a long-term HIV survivor, advocate and public speaker, David was a well-known and respected volunteer in the HIV sector and community with roles as an Ambassador for the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation, a Community Ambassador for the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation, a member of the Positive Life NSW Speakers Bureau, Emeritus Founding Chair of QTOPIA Sydney, honoured as a Community Champion in the 2021 inaugural NAPWHA/Gilead Science awards and a worthy recipient of the HIV Hero Award in 2023, presented by Positive Life NSW at the ACON Honours Awards. David was recognised in the 2023 Australia Day honours as a Member of the Order of Australia “for significant service to community health through HIV education and advocacy roles.”
David had an infectious sense of humour and was an extraordinarily kind hearted and generous man of great character. He will be missed by all who knew him and worked with him, especially the HIV community. We as a community have been enriched by David’s immense contributions over the decades, and he is sorely missed.
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MEDIA CONTACT:
Jane Costello, CEO – 1800 245 677 or email communications@positivelife.org.au
Positive Life NSW is the largest peer-led and run representative body of all people living with HIV in Australia based in NSW. We make a significant contribution to, and positive impact across the spectrum of health and social issues on behalf of all people living with HIV in collaboration with HIV specialist and mainstream services to improve the health and quality of life of all people living with HIV in NSW. We do this through evidence-based health promotion, research, policy advice and peer support.
