Jeffrey's story

When Jeffrey Robertson first saw his ground floor public housing apartment in North Fitzroy, he was so overwhelmed he cried with joy,

‘I just burst into tears and thought – how perfect is this?’

It was the opportunity for a new start.

In a previous life Jeffrey had owned his own home, lived with his wife and two children and travelled the world as a chef. However his life crumbled around him when he was diagnosed with HIV. His wife wanted him to wear gloves anytime he touched his children, he could no longer work as a chef and he eventually moved to Warrnambool as part of a recovery program.

Jeffrey was living in public housing in Warrnambool and beginning to find his feet again, even talking publicly about his experience being a heterosexual person living with HIV. However after four years living there, he had a stroke and was left unable to walk, talk or see. He worked hard on his rehabilitation, however he soon faced the choice of living in a nursing home at age 47, or moving back to Melbourne where he could access the help he needed.

He returned to Melbourne to live and was placed in transitional accommodation in Clifton Hill. His one bedroom flat was a first step towards independence, and in 2006 he moved into a new public housing home in North Fitzroy.

As part of the State Governments drive to create public housing that is suited to people’s needs, the new home was specially designed for wheelchair access and had space for a carer to work with him.

'It’s close to everything, there’s the beautiful gardens where my kids can play when they come over. You wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!’

Best of all it has helped Jeffrey to develop his independence and enjoy a quality of life that allows him to volunteer in the local community. His health has also improved dramatically, before moving in he was going to hospital three out of every seven weeks, since moving in he hasn’t been once.

Jeffrey’s work in the local community was recognised in 2006 when he was nominated to carry the torch in the Queen’s baton relay for the Commonwealth Games, and in 2007 he was nominated for an Australian of the Year Award. He still doesn’t know who nominated him for these awards, and is very humble about his achievements

‘All I’ve done is live my life, but other people see it differently. I’m blessed. You go from not being able to walk, talk or see, to being able to live independently in a wonderful neighbourhood with great community services, get involved in stuff to help other people and have a great quality of life. It’s just fantastic!’