Community leader David Polson AM has died at the age of 70 after a long life of advocacy, philanthropy, and support of St Vincent’s Hospital founders, the Sisters of Charity.
Polson, who was granted a state memorial after his death on 10 February, was one of the first people in Australia to be diagnosed with HIV and underwent more than 28 clinical trials at the hospital while getting treated for the virus.
After his diagnosis, Polson was admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital in Ward 17 South—Australia’s first dedicated healthcare service for those suffering from the illness.
Retired Director of Nursing at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sr Clare Nolan RSC, remembers Polson as a “very courageous man” who was an “inclusive and transparent person” whom she first met in Ward 17 South.
“I knew David from way back then and we were the best of friends right up until the day he died,” she told The Catholic Weekly.
She said he made a difference to those living in the ward, which was a “place of love” for those both working and being treated there, and Polson would organise events for those in the hospital.
Sr Nolan said Polson “loved all the sisters who worked in the ward” and would make sure he included them in his other ventures, including a museum, that features videos of survivors, doctors, and nurses of the dedicated hospital ward.
Polson felt he had a “permanent home” at the hospital and was a keen supporter, Sr Nolan added.
Speaking about her time in Ward 17 South, Sr Nolan said she had “never ever met such a sick person” as she did those who had HIV.
She said Ward 17 South was created to be a safe place for those with the virus, a feeling held by the residents of the ward as well.
“The patients, the residents in the ward, they worked tirelessly to make that a situation that was mending their hearts, not breaking their hearts to see their friends dying there,” she said.
In a statement released by St Vincent’s CEO Chris Blake and St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney CEO Anna McFadgen, Polson is praised and remembered for his “tireless contributions” to the hospital and establishing treatment strategies for HIV.
In the statement, Polson was commended as being a longtime ambassador for St Vincent’s Curran Foundation’s HIV Future Fund.
“David was instrumental in helping the foundation fundraise for immunology research, treatment, and HIV patient cares programs over many years,” the statement says.
“He helped the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation connect to supporters and donors and was a much-loved member of its community.”
Sr Nolan said Polson saw good in all he came across and “never condoned the cruelty of people to his fellow gay community.”
“He was a prophet, really, for the gay community, a prophet for the marginalised and disadvantaged,” she said.
