Croakey was saddened to learn of the death of Jim Hyde, a community leader and public health activist who played a crucial role in Australia’s response to the HIV/AIDs epidemic. A selection of tributes to him collated from social and community media is below.
From the Star Observer:
Community leader and activist Jim Hyde has passed away over the weekend, leaving an indelible and important legacy in his wake.
As both a life member of Thorne Harbour Health (formerly the Victorian AIDS Council) and its general manager in the early nineties, Hyde guided the organisation in its relocation to South Yarra, where it remained for 23 years.
He was also at the helm when the first Positive Living Centre opened in St Kilda, and was a founding member of the AIDS Council of South Australia and the South Australian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.
Thorne Harbour Health President, Chad Hughes, said Hyde’s almost 30-year involvement with the organisation was characterised by passion, intelligence, strategic insight, and a fierce commitment to the HIV and AIDS sector.
“He was a great strategic thinker, a skilled negotiator and policy expert, and a generous elder of our community,” he said.
“Whenever we came across complex issues related to the organisation, Jim was always ready with sage advice and critical insights that I personally, and the organisation as a whole, benefitted from.
“From the sale of our previous premises in South Yarra to our recent rebrand and countless other matters, his legacy is significant.”
Hyde also held senior positions in both the New South Wales and Victorian departments of health, including serving as Victoria’s Director of Public Health, and was awarded the inaugural Rainbow Award for Leadership in the Gay Community in 1993.
Hyde is survived by his daughters, Sophie and Alice, their families, and his partner Glenn.
Absolutely heartbroken today to have lost our dear friend Jim Hyde @jimsaway . A champion for human rights, and a true public health leader and warrior. Will be so very missed. @profstuartt73
— Prof Samantha Thomas (@Doc_Samantha) August 20, 2018
Just wanted to pay my respects to the friends and family of Jim Hyde. I wish I had known him better but he was a funny and very shrewd man. Vale Jim.
— Ben Eltham (@beneltham) August 20, 2018
VALE Jim Hyde – a dedicated HIV/AIDS activist and LGBTI community advocate. Your passionate drive and experienced voice will be sadly missed. https://t.co/FRRa0PrKsZ pic.twitter.com/fbIAzZkYrq
— Thorne Harbour Health (@ThorneHarbour) August 20, 2018
We are sad to hear about our friend Jim Hyde’s death today. He was a champion for health equity and collaborated with CPHCE to develop the NSW Health and Equity Statement 14 years ago. https://t.co/zZ6ojJWrzG
— UNSW CPHCE (@cphce_unsw) August 20, 2018
Very sad to hear that #HIV activist and long-term survivor Jim Hyde has passed away. We owe so much to the many brave men and women who stepped up to fight during the early days of the AIDS epidemic and continued to fight, in their own way, over the decades that followed. pic.twitter.com/Rxa11LDfGE
— Nic Dorward (@nicheholas) August 20, 2018
Vale Jim Hyde – Jim was a founding member of the AIDS Council of South Australia and the South Australian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby his powerful and passionate voice will be missed. https://t.co/4apwbHmtD2
— SAMESH (@_SAMESH_) August 20, 2018
https://twitter.com/ben_hr/status/1031430180064047105
https://twitter.com/MatthewRWade/status/1031422875616522241
We extend our condolences to Jim Hydes family, friends and the community. As a Special Committee Member of the AFAO Executive Committee from 1992-1993, we value Jim's commitment to the HIV response. VALE Jim Hyde https://t.co/RgoI4d5pq7
— Health Equity Matters (@equitymatters_) August 20, 2018
From Thorne Harbour Health:
Today, Thorne Harbour Health has lost a tireless leader, community activist, and gay community advocate with the passing of Professor Jim Hyde.
At the time of his death, Jim was an active and vigorous board member. His almost 30-year involvement with the organisation has been characterised by passion, intelligence, strategic insight, and a fierce commitment to the HIV and AIDS sector as well as the LGBTI community as a whole.
Jim was a life member of the Victorian AIDS Council (VAC) and was, in fact, the General Manager of the organisation from 1990 to 1994. During that time, he guided the organisation in its development from our modest premises in Collingwood to our relocation to Claremont Street in South Yarra, where we remained for 23 years. He was also at the helm in 1993 when the first Positive Living Centre opened on Acland Street in St Kilda. Jim was a founding member of the AIDS Council of South Australia and the South Australian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby.
Jim held senior policy positions in both the New South Wales and Victorian Departments of Health, including serving as Victoria’s Director of Public Health where he brought his grassroots activism and community awareness to bear on matters of high level public policy.
He was awarded the inaugural Rainbow Award for Leadership in the Gay Community in 1993 and the PLWHA Victoria President’s award for Services to the Positive Community in 2008.
Jim was an Adjunct Chair at the University of Western Sydney, an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the Monash Centre for Ethics in Medicine and Society, and a Professor of Public Health Policy at Deakin University.
Thorne Harbour Health CEO, Simon Ruth added, “Jim’s insights were always informed by a keen sense of where the organisation had been historically, what it needed in the present, and how we needed to develop for future sustainability. He brought to our organisation, and LGBTI people more generally, a deep community knowledge informed by passion and determination. He will be missed.”
Jim is survived by his daughters, Sophie and Alice, their families, and his partner Glenn.
Just want to say that the loss of our friend Jim Hyde is truly heartbreaking. He was a brilliant mind committed to effecting positive changes.
He was a massive supporter of my career and was constantly searching for opportunities for me. Just 3 weeks ago, he was trying to…
— Kirsty Webeck 🦈 (@KirstyWebeck) August 20, 2018
Jim Hyde had a brilliant political mind. His passing is very sad news indeed and we send our condolences to his loved ones.
— 𝗜𝗡 𝗬𝗔 𝗙𝗔𝗖𝗘 🌈 (@3cr_inyaface) August 20, 2018
Alas. Freedom fighter and health sage and LGBTI broadcaster Jim Hyde died last night after a massive stroke last week. Bless him. Love to all the others who loved him and his spirit. #JimHydeDied
— Moira Rayner (@MoiraR) August 20, 2018
Jim Hyde, gay activist and HIV community leader, was a champion. May he rest in peace.
— John Voutos (@johnvoutos) August 20, 2018
Vale Jim Hyde – Jim was a founding member of the AIDS Council of South Australia and the South Australian Gay and Lesbian Rights Lobby his powerful and passionate voice will be missed. https://t.co/4apwbHmtD2
— SAMESH (@_SAMESH_) August 20, 2018
Farewell Jim
Among all your many other great achievements, your leadership of the National Public Health Partnership in Australia was an inspiration for myself and countless others.