HIV/AIDS treatment pioneer David Polson dies in Sydney 41 years after diagnosis
One of the original HIV/AIDS patients in Sydney has died more than four decades after his diagnosis. Tributes have begun flowing for David Polson, who dedicated his life to the fight.
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A pioneer of HIV/AIDS advocacy in Australia has died 41 years after first being diagnosed.
David Polson, 70, was one of 400 gay men in Sydney who were mass-tested and diagnosed positive in 1984 – considered a death sentence at the time.
He went on to become one of the few people who could tell the full story of Australia’s fight against HIV.
The LGBTQIA+ centre Qtopia Sydney released a statement saying they were “deeply saddened to announce the passing of David Polson AM, our Emeritus Founding Chair”.
“It was the vision of he and his dear friend, the late Professor David Cooper, that Qtopia Sydney came to be and it is now, and ever shall be, a celebration of that vision.
“A debt of gratitude is owed to David for his life of service, for his courage, bravery and contribution over almost six decades, enduring 28 drug trials, toward the advancement of a medical response to HIV and AIDS in this country and across the world.”
Polson dedicated his life to the fight and took part in nearly 30 drug trials over the past four decades.
The trials helped researchers find ways of preventing, detecting and treating HIV and AIDS.
They left Polson with a litany of health issues, including a rare brain disease for which there was no cure, hearing problems, peripheral neuropathy, lipodystrophy, ataxia and kidney disease.
“David was cheeky, irreverent, wickedly funny, warm and gracious and it was a privilege to view life through his lens,” the statement continued.
“He died as he lived, fighting valiantly until the end, in the care of St Vincent’s Hospital, where he had spent so much time. He was surrounded by those who knew and loved him best.”
Polson celebrated his 70th birthday in November.
Qtopia Sydney co-patron, former High Court Judge Michael Kirby, remembered his friend as “ a fighter for his own rights and dignity but also for those of all LGBTIQ people, and other vulnerable minorities, in Australia and beyond”.
“David refused to accept injustice. When it was not easy, he marched and demonstrated against unjust laws and attitudes. When, in very grim times, he discovered that he had been infected with HIV, he became a champion of treatment options and legal reforms,” Mr Kirby said.
“He never surrendered. And he never forgot colleagues and friends like the late Dr David Cooper at St Vincents Hospital Sydney and his successors at the Kirby Institute at UNSW; the Sisters of Charity; the nurses, physicians, the scientists who searched for treatments and the Ankalis, like my partner Johan (van Vloten), who freely volunteered their love and help.”
Co-patron Ita Buttrose said: “David Polson AM was an exceptional and brave man whose contribution to helping medical science find a treatment or cure for HIV was immense. Qtopia is David Polson’s legacy. He always said education was the most important part of the museum and hoped it would play a significant role in educating the public about the queer community. David Polson was also my friend, and I shall miss him.”
He is survived by sister Ruth Henning, brother-in-law Evan, nephews William and Edward, cousin Cecily Polson and life friends Peter Campbell, Amanda Findlay and Greg Woods.
“David’s humour and love and endless surprises will be sorely missed,” Polson’s sister, Ruth, said.
“He was an inspiration to his nephews – indeed I know he was an inspiration to so many in the community worldwide. I am so proud of his contribution to AIDS response and awareness.”
At the time of his birthday, Qtopia Sydney announced the launch of the Wall of Love, a space for others to remember the people they love in a community-focused environment.
“I thought I’d never get to 35, let alone double it,” he told The Daily Telegraph in November.
“It was really horrible. I mean you just go to a funeral after a funeral.
“I thought how can I keep healthy and strong until the doctors can find a cure or a treatment?
“To my little naive mind, I needed to keep my immune system strong. So … I came out with a little plan to eat fresh, good food, exercise, do meditation, visualisation, vitamins and at 29 I gave up alcohol.”
Qtopia Sydney chief executive officer Greg Fisher said: “David’s sharp wit was matched by his intelligence. His life was dedicated to helping others – his kindness knew no bounds. The community has much to thank this community hero for.”
Today, HIV remains a fact of life for around 30,000 Australians, although new cases have declined 33 per cent over the past decade according to advocacy group Health Equity Matters.
The decline is due largely to new treatments with new cases down to 722 HIV infections in 2023.
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Originally published as HIV/AIDS treatment pioneer David Polson dies in Sydney 41 years after diagnosis
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