Uncle Jack Charles

Aboriginal elder, artist, activist and winner of the Mark Farmer Award 2019

Uncle Jack is a HEP Hero because he has long been a strong advocate for people living with hepatitis C and is passionate and encourages people to be tested and seek treatment.

Uncle Jack works with Hepatitis Victoria and other organisations in the sector such as VACCHO, appearing in health promotion videos, explaining his journey to hepatitis C treatment.

Uncle Jack Charles was awarded the 2019 Mark Farmer Memorial Award, for advocacy and awareness raising in the community about viral hepatitis.

The Mark Farmer Memorial Award celebrates Hepatitis Victoria former Board member Mark Farmer’s significant role in advocacy and awareness raising around viral hepatitis.

“You’ve got to be open and admit it to yourself,” Uncle Jack said in a Hepatitis Victoria video.

“There’s nothing to be frightened, shy and embarrassed about hep C. You need to get over that in order to move on.”