Honouring Allan Goodchild as a BGF Lifetime Honouree

Allan Goodchild was born on July 25, 1951, as the first-born son in a family of six children. From an early age, he often wondered why he was so different from his younger brothers, who were passionate about football and cricket and showed great talent in both. Allan, on the other hand, was drawn to dancing, music, and artistic pursuits. His creative flair was evident in the intricate decorations he crafted for birthday, christening, and wedding cakes. During his teenage years, Allan and his sister June shared a love for ballroom dancing and attended classes together. Occasionally, their father would sneak a peek at their Saturday morning lessons.

One Christmas, Allan received a cricket set as a gift. While several neighbourhood kids played in the backyard, Allan often struggled, getting out for a duck more times than he would have liked. Determined, he would ask for another chance to prove himself.

After leaving school, Allan pursued an apprenticeship in pastry cooking at a local bakery owned by a family friend. However, by the time he turned 18, his family and colleagues noticed Allan had made some new friends, leading to confrontations with his father and growing concern from his mother.

Eventually, Allan decided to leave both his apprenticeship and the family home, joining the Australian Navy and relocating to Melbourne. His lack of contact during this time deeply worried his mother.

After about three and a half years in the Navy, Allan returned to Sydney. His mother was overjoyed to see him thriving and gainfully employed. Allan had developed a passion for live shows and had made many connections within Sydney's gay community. He secured a job at ABC Television in the Information and Archival Department, where his expertise in music, operas, and films was well-regarded.

In 1982, Allan shared some life-changing news with family and friends - he had recently been diagnosed as HIV positive.

It was during this period that Allan met Bobby Goldsmith for the first time at Bondi Beach. Soon, Allan became one of Bobby's closest friends, along with Bobby's partner Ken. Together with their circle of friends, they rallied around Bobby in his final days, ensuring he was surrounded by love, care, and the dignity he so deeply deserved.

Over the years, Allan and his father gradually repaired their fractured relationship, bonding over shared interests in music and opera. However, it was their mutual love of photography that truly brought them closer, allowing them to spend quality time together on outings with their Nikon cameras.

In 1990, Allan became a father to daughter Ella after her mother placed an ad in the Star Observer seeking a sperm donor. Ella fondly remembers watching The Wizard of Oz with him and enjoying Rollo chocolates. Though they lost contact when she started school, Ella reconnected with Allan in high school and became part of his extended family later in life. As a queer woman herself, Ella cherishes the time she had with Allan and takes pride she has inherited her father’s rich history, tenacity, creativity, and flair.

Allan was deeply devoted to his friends and community in the Blue Mountains. He became a community radio announcer for 2Blue FM and regularly helped organise Christmas community lunches. In the early years of his HIV diagnosis, Allan participated in numerous drug trials and spoke publicly about living with the virus, addressing both medical professionals and high school students.

Allan dedicated himself tirelessly to supporting those living with HIV, and his legacy will continue through his pivotal role in founding the Bobby Goldsmith Foundation. In the final decade of Allan's life, after the passing of his parents, his siblings stood by him, offering unwavering support as his health declined. Allan often expressed how fortunate he felt to have such caring brothers and sisters, acknowledging that many others in his situation faced their struggles without the comfort of family.

Allan was a true pioneer in his community, advocating for issues close to his heart. His family and friends are immensely proud of his achievements and the resilience he displayed in living with HIV for half his life. He passed away at the age of 72, leaving behind a legacy of strength, conviction and a life lived fully.