Obituaries
‘If you think something is important, you have to have a go’
Gippsland historian and author Flo Pearce, 101, may have quit school quite early, but her lifelong love of learning made her a formidable and knowledgeable student of local history.
- by Pauline Hitchins
Latest
National
Sonic meteor who raced across our skies
Mark Simmonds' influence on two generations of Australian musicians has been profound.
- by John Shand
Victoria
Merle James: a legacy far beyond etiquette
There are thousands of Melburnians who know that gentlemen may not remove their jackets until the host allows them to and ladies must be thanked and returned to where they were first invited to dance.
- by Tarni James
National
Silk was a great circuiteer in the courtroom and socially
John Seymour Monahan (“Ginge”), Bar roll number 666, died on February 20, 2020, aged 86. Son of former Supreme Court Justice Sir Robert Monahan, John’s future at the Bar was guaranteed.
- by Katherine Bourke
National
'Secular saint' who defended the underdog and loved the Sea Eagles
The team wore black armbands when the death of No 1 fan Brenda Duchen was announced.
- by Alex Oliver
Victoria
Never lost his thirst for knowledge
The Royal Children’s Hospital has lost one of its finest leaders Robert (Bob) Dickens, a greatly respected and loved paediatric surgeon who dedicated his life to helping others.
- by Glenn Bowes
Vale
'Without me, you wouldn't be here': Microsoft billionaire's father dies at 94
Having operated the slide projector at his son's first keynote speech, lawyer Bill Gates snr saw his headstrong middle child become the world's second richest person with a net worth of more than $US123 billion.
- by Peter Robison
National
Astrophysicist led way to cause of Southern Lights
A professor told Joan Feynman she should do her doctoral dissertation on cobwebs, since that was what she would be dealing with as a housewife.
Victoria
The last of Lakes Entrance’s old brigade
Shirley Margaret Eaton lived her life as a warm, cheerful and bubbly person who showed kindness to all and fortitude in her own troubles.
- by Elsie Johnstone
National
Designer transformed home decor and dining out
Habitat became a place to hang out. George Harrison was mobbed by fans on a shopping trip with Patti Boyd.
John Fahey
Fahey's achievements were born of hard work and merit
As a Catholic from a working-class background, the former premier wasn’t the typical Liberal Party recruit of the time.
- by Matt Kean, John Brogden and Matthew Hingerty