Person
Jeffrey Robertson
Jeffrey Robertson is the President of Straight Arrows, support and services for HIV positive heterosexuals and their families, and a Director of People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria. Jeffrey was a nominee for the 2008 Australian of the Year and has won a number of awards, including Tattersall’s Award for Enterprise and Achievement.
Jeffrey’s inspirational story of determination, hope and self-discovery began as a young boy growing up in the Sydney suburb of Redfern. Jeffrey’s teenage years were dysfunctional and primarily about survival.
He became a single father of two at the age of 21, however lost custody of his children when his first wife remarried. Jeffrey then began an extraordinary journey cooking across the globe and was held as a slave labourer in China.
Jeffrey returned to Australia at the age of 40, soon to be re-married and father of two children. A short time later, Jeffrey was diagnosed HIV positive and battled with discrimination and homophobia. He decided to educate himself about living with HIV, and not dying from AIDS.
Moving to a country town, Jeffrey’s journey to recovery began. He faced further challenges of discrimination, rumours and innuendos which were soon rife throughout the community. Jeffrey decided to fight back by breaking down the barriers of fear and stigma in a conservative community. He began running AIDS awareness campaigns in his home town and found the will to live again.
Stress took its toll and in 2003, Jeffrey suffered a stroke and became paralysed down his right side, lost his eyesight, his ability to speak, and was confined to a mobile wheelchair. Throughout this traumatic experience, he continued to remain positive and became an advocate of strength and survival.
Jeffrey continued his volunteer work with People Living with HIV/AIDS Victoria, and Protecting Young Australians from HIV – Positive Speakers Bureau Victoria. Jeffrey also took part in the Commonwealth Games Baton Relay 2006.
Jeffrey now lives independently in Melbourne with the support of his carer. He has been reunited with his children and has developed a close relationship with them.