This Month
Action star and internet icon Chuck Norris dies at 86
Chuck Norris was a martial arts hero whose tough guy image led to later fame as an internet meme.
Anthony Mason, judge with secret role in Whitlam dismissal, dies at 100
The former chief justice was an unequalled judicial reformer who presided over the Mabo decision – and stood by his advice that Gough Whitlam could be sacked.
Clough CEO Peter Bennett dies at 59
Peter Bennett, the Perth businessman who spent more than a decade at the helm of construction group Clough, died just two weeks after appearing at a conference.
February
Jesse Jackson, charismatic US civil rights leader, dies
The Baptist minister was a close friend of Martin Luther King and ran twice ran for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Robert Duvall was the ultimate ace up Hollywood’s sleeve
The actor was known for his ability to disappear into roles, playing a wide range of characters in films such as Apocalypse Now and To Kill a Mockingbird.
James Van Der Beek, teenage heartthrob of Dawson’s Creek, dies at 48
The former golden-haired teen, who starred in coming-of-age dramas at the dawn of the new millennium, would in later years mock his own hunky persona.
January
Catherine O’Hara, Emmy-winning comedian, dies at 71
The gifted Canadian-born comic actor, who starred as Macaulay Culkin’s harried mother in two “Home Alone” movies, has died after brief illness.
NSW’s first female governor, Dame Marie Bashir, dies at 95
The trailblazer served 14 years as the head of the state after a medical career in which she advocated for child, Indigenous and mental health causes.
Midnight Oil drummer Rob Hirst dies at 70
Rob Hirst played with the Oils for an incredible 50 years, from their formation in Sydney in 1972 as an act called Farm, to their farewell concert in 2022.
Valentino, fashion designer for Hollywood and royalty, dies
The famous Italian couturier, whose glamorous gowns adorned famous women from Princess Diana to Julia Roberts and who built a fashion empire, has died in Rome.
December 2025
Melbourne Uni vice chancellor dies after short illness
Emma Johnston took charge of Australia’s top-ranked university in 2025 after a lauded career as a research scientist. She was 52.
Perry Bamonte, guitarist and keyboardist in the Cure, dies at 65
From roadie to core band member, Perry Bamonte’s decades-long journey with the Cure left a lasting imprint on one of alternative music’s most influential acts.
Former Liberal MP Katie Allen dies after cancer battle
Dr Allen represented the Melbourne seat of Higgins from 2019 to 2022, entering politics after being a paediatrician for more than two decades.
Chris Rea winced when I mentioned his hits. He shouldn’t have
If you’re driving home for Christmas or stuck in traffic on the way to see your family, there’s a good chance you are humming a song by the singer-songwriter.
Frank Gehry, one of most celebrated architects of his time, dies at 96
Gehry’s curvy, gleaming creations delighted the public and turned him into a design star.
November 2025
Dazzling genius playwright Tom Stoppard dies
Mick Jagger and King Charles paid homage to Stoppard, who won an Oscar for Shakespeare in Love and was hailed the greatest British playwright of his generation.
Paul Keating leads tributes for ‘Treasury star’ Tony Cole
The former Treasury secretary, who has died aged 78, has been remembered by the former PM as one of Australia’s most significant public economic officials.
Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson dies aged 76
The longtime former Labor powerbroker turned commentator died on Saturday following a recent illness.
Polarising former US vice president Dick Cheney dies at 84
As vice president to George W. Bush, Cheney was the architect of the US’s hard military response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.
October 2025
Fawlty Towers actress Prunella Scales dies
The British actress, who has passed away aged 93, was best known for her role as hotelier Sybil Fawlty in the iconic comedy fronted by John Cleese.
