Tim Mathieson

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Not to be confused with Tim Matheson.
Tim Mathieson

Julia Gillard and Tim Mathieson in 2013
Born Timothy Raymond Mathieson
c. 1957
Shepparton, Victoria
Occupation Hairdresser
Known for Domestic partner of the 27th
Prime Minister of Australia
Spouse(s) Diane Stark (divorced)
Partner(s) Julia Gillard
Children Three

Timothy Raymond Mathieson (born c. 1957) is an Australian hairdresser and partner of former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.[1] He entered the public spotlight in 2006 when they became partners.[2][3] Gillard was Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party at the time.

Biography

Mathieson was born and raised in Shepparton, Victoria. After leaving school he undertook a hairdressing apprenticeship in the Melbourne suburb of South Yarra. Returning to Shepparton, he operated a salon for fifteen years. Mathieson next moved to the Gold Coast, Queensland, where he operated a hair salon for a further fifteen years.[4]

For much of the 1990s Mathieson and a friend worked in California, exporting vintage Levi's jeans and supplying marble interiors.[5]

Returning to Melbourne in 2004, Mathieson worked for one year at a salon called Heading Out. There he met Gillard, a long-standing client of the salon. They began dating in March 2006 and became partners in 2007.[1] After leaving Heading Out, Mathieson returned to Shepparton and established Tim Mathieson Hair with financial support from his father and brother. However, in 2006 he returned to Melbourne,[6] where he worked as a sales representative for PPS Hairwear, a hair products company.[5] In January 2010, Mathieson was appointed as a property agent for Ubertas Group, a Melbourne real estate agency, and focused on selling high-rise apartments in Melbourne to international buyers.[3] Mathieson would remain in that role until March 2010.[7]

After Julia Gillard became Prime Minister in June 2010, Mathieson supported her by assuming an unpaid, behind-the-scenes role, as well as continuing his involvement with charitable causes.[8]

Personal life

Mathieson is a divorcé with three adult children.[9] He was previously married to Diane Stark, with whom he had two children.[10] Mathieson also fathered a daughter in his late teens.[11] He started dating Gillard in March 2006 and has remained her partner since.[1] When asked about marriage to Gillard, Mathieson said "We haven't talked about anything more than being spouses at this stage. Wait and see, I guess."[12]

Charitable work

On 24 November 2008 Nicola Roxon, the Minister for Health and Ageing, appointed Mathieson as one of the government's Men's Health Ambassadors, an unpaid role. Mathieson says he is passionate about his volunteer role.[2] Mathieson is also an ambassador for Kidney Health Australia[13] and a patron of the Australian Men's Sheds Association.[14] He is also involved with the Indigenous Diabetes Association in Alice Springs[3] and with mental health group beyondblue.[4] In December 2010, Tim Mathieson was appointed Patron of the National Portrait Gallery.[15] The previous patrons were Thérèse Rein (wife of then prime minister Kevin Rudd) and Janette Howard (wife of then prime minister John Howard).

In January 2013, Mathieson attracted media attention for a joke he made while advocating for prostate examinations, advising men to seek out "a small Asian female doctor" when receiving a rectal prostate exam. His remark was considered inappropriate and in poor taste by some commentators. He later apologised "for any offence caused".[16]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Gillard's partner Tim Mathieson 'bubbly'". The Sydney Morning Herald. AAP. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 26 June 2010. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Harris, Talek (25 June 2010). "Beer-swilling hairdresser is Australia's 'First Bloke'". AFP. Retrieved 26 June 2010. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Lunn, Stephen (26 June 2010). "Julia Gillard's partner faces life in the limelight". The Australian. Retrieved 26 June 2010. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Tim Mathieson, Men's Health Ambassador". Beyond Blue. 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2010. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Valent, Dani (18 May 2007). "Our Julia". The Age (Melbourne). Retrieved 26 June 2010. 
  6. ↑ Crabb, Annabel (29 November 2008). "Gotta wash sexism right outta our hair". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 June 2010. 
  7. ↑ Royce Millar and Rafael Epstein (2010-08-20). "Tim to quit job if Julia gets up". Theage.com.au. Retrieved 2013-06-26. 
  8. ↑ http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/bath-blowdry-and-barracking-for-the-pm/story-fncvk70o-1226516979434
  9. ↑ Walsh, Kerry-Anne; Benns, Matthew (27 June 2010). "First bloke is a man's man". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 27 June 2010. 
  10. ↑ Weston, Paul (1 August 2010). "Speeding Tim Mathieson was also a drink-driver". Daily Telegraph (Australia). Retrieved 1 August 2010. 
  11. ↑ Tinkler, Chris (14 October 2007). "Julia Gillard's partner in plea". Daily Telegraph (Australia). Retrieved 26 June 2010. 
  12. ↑ Lunn, Stephen (25 June 2010). "Let's wait and see on marriage, says Julia Gillard's partner". The Australian. Retrieved 26 June 2010. 
  13. ↑ "Kidney Health Australia Appoints Tim Mathieson as Health Ambassador" (Press release). Kidney Health Australia. 26 November 2008. Retrieved 27 June 2010. 
  14. ↑ "AMSA Patrons". Australian Men's Shed Association. 2009. Retrieved 26 June 2010. 
  15. ↑ "Julia Gillard's partner Tim Mathieson new patron of National Portrait Gallery". The Australian. 16 December 2010. Retrieved 19 January 2011. 
  16. ↑ "First Bloke Tim Mathieson apologises for prostate joke 'in poor taste'". Theaustralian.com.au. 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2013-06-26. 
Honorary titles
Preceded by
Thérèse Rein		 Spouse of the Prime Minister of Australia
24 June 2010–26 June 2013 		Succeeded by
Thérèse Rein
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