(Community Recognition Statement, 13 March 2024, Legislative Assembly, NSW Parliament)

On behalf of the Sydney electorate, I add my voice to the celebrations for 40 years of the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation [BGF]. BGF is Australia's longest running HIV charity, providing support for people with HIV since 1984. It started out as a group of friends who cared for their friend Bobby. This was before there were effective treatments for HIV and people with HIV often died very quickly after being diagnosed. There was also a lot of fear and misunderstanding about HIV at this time, with those diagnosed with HIV being denied services and help. Bobby's death helped galvanise community support and self help within the LGBT community. BGF also took on campaigns encouraging condom use and public meetings to inform and strengthen the community response. While there have been massive improvements in treatment since 1984, with HIV now able to be managed as a chronic health condition, there are still many people with HIV who continue to need support. Everyone involved with BGF over those 40 years deserves our thanks and recognition for their role making sure that people with HIV are not alone and get the help they need.