THOSE WE LOST IN 2021, AUSTRALIA:

Continuing the list of those who departed this life in 2021, today's list from Australia:

MICHAEL GUDINSKI
Date of death:	March 2, 2021
Age at death:	68
About:	Australian record executive and promoter who was a leading figure in the Australian music industry. Born and raised in Melbourne to Jewish Russian immigrants, Gudinski formed the highly successful Australian record company Mushroom Records in 1972 through which he signed several generations of Australian musicians and performers ranging from MacKenzie Theory, the Skyhooks, The Choirboys, Kylie Minogue, and New Zealand's Split Enz to newer artists such as Eskimo Joe, Evermore and others. Gudinski was considered to be "one of the most significant and powerful players" in the Australian music landscape.
By the way:	A "larger-than-life figure", Gudinski was often referred to as the "father of the Australian music industry". Gudinski was a highly visible public figure throughout his career and is considered to be the only Australian record company executive whose name was known by the general public.
Cause of death:	Gudinski died during his sleep at his home in Melbourne, at the age of 68. A toxicology report revealed that he had died of mixed drug use, with 12 drugs including cocaine, oxycodone and morphine present in his body. The report additionally revealed that he had heart disease, cirrhosis, and had suffered recent vertebral compression fractures.

 

CARLA ZAMPATTI
Date of death:	April 3, 2021
Age at death:	78
About:	Italian-born Australian fashion designer and businesswoman, and executive chair of the fashion label Carla Zampatti Limited. Zampatti was born in Italy and settled in Western Australia in 1950 before moving to Sydney in her 20s. She produced her first small fashion collection in 1965 and released her first national collection in 1970. Her elegant designs were lauded for being feminine, timeless and appealing to women of all generations. "The most extraordinary thing about Carla was she was still dressing the 17-year-old for her school formal, whilst also dressing the mother of the bride," Vogue Australia editor-in-chief Edwina McCann said. In 1987 Zampatti was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her services to the fashion industry and in 2009 was elevated as a Companion of the Order in the Queen's Birthday Honours List. "She loved a hug, called everyone darling and would always hold your hand when speaking to her," Zampatti's daughter Bianca Spender said at her funeral.
By the way:	Zampatti's family accepted the offer of a state funeral from the New South Wales government. The service was held at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney on 15 April 2021, where many attendees wore her designs, and her daughter said “If she was alive, she’d say this is the best-dressed funeral she had ever attended.”
Cause of death:	On 26 March 2021, Zampatti attended the opening night of La Traviata at Mrs Macquarie's Point on Sydney Harbour, where she was knocked unconscious after falling on a staircase. She was taken to St Vincent's Hospital where she died from her injuries on 3 April, at the age of 78. Zampatti's family accepted the offer of a state funeral from the New South Wales government.[41] The service was held at St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney on 15 April 2021, where many attendees wore her designs, and her daughter said “If she was alive, she’d say this is the best-dressed funeral she had ever attended.”[7][42]

 

TOMMY RAUDONIKIS
Date of death:	April 7, 2021
Age at death:	70
About:	Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He played 40 International games and World Cup games as Australia representative halfback and captained his country in two matches of the 1973 Kangaroo tour. Apart from his playing and coaching career, he was also a media personality, commentator and had is own spot on The Footy Show, “The Raudonlkis Report”.
By the way:	What’s a good indication of true friendship? Trying to bust your mate out of hospital.  Sydney businessman John Singleton and ex-Newtown forward Col Murphy tried to do exactly that for Raudonikis in 2019. The pair visited Raudonikis, who was in hospital at the time on the Gold Coast due to his throat cancer.  “He just looked at us and said he didn’t want to die in hospital... So we thought we’d help him out,” Murphy told The Daily Telegraph. The pair tried to convince nurses at the hospital to let Raudonikis out for a day at the pub but they couldn’t get the green light... and so in a few minutes they thought up an escape plan. But before they could get him out of his bed they were spotted by the nurses.  “We didn’t get far, we couldn’t disconnect him from the machines,” Murphy said. Singleton added: “I’ve had sillier ideas — not much though.”
Cause of death:	Raudonikis was reported to have inoperable cancer in April 2019. Two years later, he died of the disease on the Gold Coast, Queensland, six days short of his 71st birthday.

 

ANDREW PEACOCK
Date of death:	April 16, 2021
Age at death:	82
About:	Australian politician and diplomat. He served as a cabinet minister and went on to become leader of the Liberal Party on two occasions (1983–1985 and 1989–1990), leading the party to defeat at the 1984 and 1990 elections. A former president of the Young Liberals, he was elected to Parliament at the age of 27, filling the blue-ribbon seat of Kooyong, vacated by Sir Robert Menzies. Peacock was appointed to cabinet in 1969 by John Gorton and later served under William McMahon and Malcolm Fraser. He held a variety of portfolios, most notably serving as Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1975 to 1980. He unsuccessfully challenged Fraser for the Liberal leadership in 1982, but was then elected as Fraser's successor following the party's defeat at the 1983 election. At the 1984 election, the Peacock-led Coalition slightly reduced the Labor Party's majority. He resigned the Liberal leadership the following year after failing to have his deputy John Howard removed; he was duly replaced by Howard. He remained a member of the shadow cabinet, and in 1987 unsuccessfully challenged Howard for the leadership; he was instead elected deputy leader. Peacock returned as leader in 1989. However, his second term lasted less than a year, as he resigned after another electoral defeat in 1990; he had won the popular vote but failed to win enough seats. Peacock left politics in 1994 and was later appointed Ambassador to the United States, serving from 1997 to 1999.
By the way:	Screen legend Shirley MacLaine was one of the great love affairs of Andrew Peacock’s swashbuckling life that included three wives. In her tell-all book I’m Over All That And Other Confessions, she wrote of the future Liberal Leader: “I thought as long as he’s the Minister for Foreign Affairs, I might as well give him one he’ll never forget.”
Cause of death:	Peacock died at his home in Austin, Texas. Cause of death not disclosed.

 

KATE JENNINGS
Date of death:	May 1, 2021
Age at death:	72
About:	Jennings grew up on a farm near Griffith, New South Wales. She attended the University of Sydney in the late 1960s, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours. She was active in feminist and left wing-movements, in particular gaining notoriety for an incendiary speech given before a Vietnam Moratorium march in 1970 – a speech that is credited with signalling the beginning of the second wave of feminism in Australia. She moved to New York City in 1979, where she wrote for numerous magazines and newspapers, in addition to a stint on Wall Street as a speechwriter.
By the way:	She also edited Mother I'm Rooted, an anthology of women poets which was the object of much controversy.
Cause of death:	Cause not disclosed.

 

LORRAE DESMOND
Date of death:	May 23, 2021
Age at death:	91
About:	Australian Gold Logie-award-winning singer, recording artist, radio and television presenter, character actress, and playwright, with a career that spanned over 55 years both locally and the United Kingdom. Born in Mittagong NSW in 1929, she moved to the UK with her family when she was 10. She started her career in England as a variety performer, singer and radio/television presenter, primarily at the BBC, where she had her own shows during the years of World War II. Returning to Australia she became a popular presenter and remains best known to early local television audiences as hostess of the musical variety program The Lorrae Desmond Show from 1960 until 1964, while as a variety entertainer and vocalist she made numerous cabaret and TV appearances including In Melbourne Tonight, The Graham Kennedy Show, The Kamahl Show, The Ted Hamilton Show and appeared on Parkinson in Australia, and The Jack Benny Show. She was subsequently asked to tour South Vietnam with the Entertainment Unit during the Vietnam War, she also toured the Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, Kenya and Somalia, where she became known for her live singing performances, billed as a forces sweetheart, she in the style of Vera Lynn and Anne Shelton, in which she was honoured with the MBE for services to entertainment. She started taking roles in local soap operas and serials starting from the late 1960s, including a guest role in Crawford Productions staple series Homicide, and a guest role in Number 96, after which she was given a more permanent role in the ill-fated series Arcade in 1980. However she became famous for her long-running role as Shirley Gilroy (née Dean, formerly Jacobson), an original character in the television series A Country Practice, appearing in 816 episodes from 1981 to 1992.
By the way:	Mourners at her memorial service told how she had once turned down the advances of rock star David Bowie, had been taught to drive by British Formula 1 ace Stirling Moss and danced with the great Fred Astaire. Love letters written to Desmond by gap-toothed film star Terry Thomas, with whom she had a ten-year relationship, were placed in her coffin, along with a teddy bear he had given her.
Cause of death:	Cause of death not revealed.

 

BOB FULTON
Date of death:	May 23, 2021
Age at death:	73
About:	Australian international rugby league footballer, coach and later commentator. Fulton played, coached, selected for and has commentated on the game with great success at the highest levels and has been named amongst Australia's greatest rugby league players of the 20th century.  As a player Fulton won three premierships with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles in the 1970s, the last as captain. He represented the Australian national side on thirty-five occasions, seven times as captain. He had a long coaching career at the first grade level, taking Manly to premiership victory in 1987 and 1996. He coached the Australian national team in thirty-nine Tests. He was a New South Wales State selector and a national selector. He was a radio commentator with 2GB at the time of his death in 2021, aged 73. In 1981, he was selected as one of the initial four post-war "Immortals" of the Australian game and, in 2008, he was named in Australia's team of the century.
By the way:	Fulton competitive spirit led him to be called Bozo after Bozo the Clown who was in a TV series of the era, as he was always playing up to the referee, feigning injury, taking a dive to gain an edge over the opposition.
Cause of death:	Fulton died of cancer on 23 May 2021 at St Vincent's Hospital in Darlinghurst, Sydney

 

GEOFFREY EDELSTEIN
Date of death:	June 11, 2021
Age at death:	78
About:	Australian businessman and former physician known for founding the health care company Allied Medical Group. In 2005, Edelsten and a business partner founded Allied Medical Group, which by 2010 administered 17 medical centres and employed around 250 general practitioners.[8][9] Edelsten was not, however, a shareholder or owner of the company. Edelsten was a general practitioner whose unconventional clinics and luxurious lifestyle attracted media attention in the 1980s. He owned mansions, helicopters, and a fleet of Rolls-Royces and Lamborghinis with license plates such as Macho, Spunky and Sexy. His multidisciplinary clinics – the forerunners of modern corporate medical practices – were open 24 hours, and were fitted with chandeliers, grand pianos, and mink-covered examination tables. Edelsten was the first private owner of a major Australian football team, the Sydney Swans, which he bought in 1985.
By the way:	Edelsten was struck off the medical registry in New South Wales in 1988 and later in Victoria. In 1990, he was jailed for perverting the course of justice and soliciting Christopher 'Mr Rent-a-Kill' Dale Flannery to assault a former patient.
Cause of death:	Edelsten was found dead at his Melbourne apartment on 11 June 2021, aged 78.  The cause of death has not been disclosed.

 

 

DAVID LECKIE
Date of death:	July 20, 2021
Age at death:	70
About:	Australian media manager, best known as a network television executive. Leckie was he the chief executive officer of the Nine Network between 1990 and 2001 and Seven West Media from 2003 to 2012. Afterwards he was for four years an executive director at Seven Group Holdings, which holds investments in Seven West, earthmoving company WesTrac and the Agricultural Bank of China.
By the way:	Leckie was a noted drinker and prone to profanity, almost as well known for his long lunches as being one of few men to run two television networks. Sporting humourist Billy Birmingham immortalised Leckie's boozing on one of his popular 12th Man comedy records. In the skit, urbane commentator Richie Benaud joined the then Nine boss for lunch and asked the waiter for water. The waiter then asked Leckie if he would like another schooner of Drambuie.
Cause of death:	Leckie died on the morning of 20 July 2021 in Robertson, New South Wales. He was 70 and had suffered from a lengthy illness prior to his death. Leckie’s health never fully recovered from a life-threatening infection he suffered when he cut his finger in 2008, only to end up in an induced coma at St Vincent’s Hospital fighting for life.

 

JOHN CORNELL
Date of death:	July 22, 1021
Age at death:	80
About:	Australian actor, director, producer, writer, and businessman. He was best known for his role as "Strop" on The Paul Hogan Show, and he was instrumental in the introduction of World Series Cricket in 1977. In 1971, while working as a producer for the television show A Current Affair, Cornell recognised the talents of a Sydney Harbour Bridge rigger, Paul Hogan (who had been the subject of an interview by the station). Cornell became Hogan's manager and often appeared alongside him in his popular television show, The Paul Hogan Show, as a character called "Strop" (a dim-witted dinkum Australian surf lifesaver). He produced and co-wrote the screenplay for Hogan's 1986 film Crocodile Dundee, which became the highest grossing Australian film. He also produced and directed the successful 1988 sequel, Crocodile Dundee II. Cornell worked closely with Kerry Packer and Austin Robertson in setting up World Series Cricket (WSC) in 1977.  Based on a suggestion in 1976 by Dennis Lillee (whom Cornell was managing at the time), Cornell presented the idea to Kerry Packer—primarily with the aim of providing better financial rewards to the players. Cornell was actively involved in the recruitment of players for WSC, for example travelling to New Zealand to sign players (including Doug Walters). Cornell engaged the Mojo agency to produce radio and television advertisements to promote WSC—including the production of the jingle "C'mon Aussie C'mon". Cornell built the Byron Beach Hotel (Byron Bay) for $9 million in 1990.  In 2007, it was sold by Cornell to a consortium of businessmen with varying reports on the sale price, either $44 million or a record $65 million.
By the way:	Cornell and Paul Hogan were investigated for alleged tax evasion as part of the Australian Taxation Office's (ATO) Project Wickenby which commenced in 2004. They were also investigated by the Australian Crime Commission "over the use of offshore accounts to bank royalties from the Crocodile Dundee films" (with both denying any dishonest conduct). They were later cleared of any wrongdoing by the Australian Crime Commission. In 2012, Hogan and Cornell confirmed that they had settled the eight-year dispute with the ATO.
Cause of death:	Cornell suffered from Parkinson's disease and had undergone deep brain stimulation to alleviate the symptoms. The disease had rendered Cornell largely immobile; however, treatment by Peter Silburn at St Andrew's War Memorial Hospital in Brisbane enabled him to "enjoy 2 km walks with his wife". Cornell died on 23 July 2021 at his home at Byron Bay. He was 80, and suffered from complications related to Parkinson's disease.

 

DIETER BRUMMER
Date of death:	July 24, 2021
Age at death:	45
About:	Australian actor. best known for his roles in television soap operas, including playing Shane Parrish in Home and Away from 1992 to 1996 and Troy Miller in Neighbours from 2011 to 2012. He also starred in crime drama Underbelly: The Golden Mile, after having a smaller role in the previous series Brummer and Home and Away co-star Melissa George, who portrayed his partner and later screen wife Angel Parrish, were promoted as a soap super couple in the early 90s. Brummer was nominated for the Gold Logie and Silver Logie Awards for "Most Popular Actor" for the role of Shane Parrish in 1994, but failed to win. However, he went on to win the "Most Popular Actor" silver Logie Award in 1995 and 1996. In 1993, 1994, and 1995 the role saw Brummer voted as "The Prince of Soap" by Dolly magazine's readers.
By the way:	In later years, Brummer revealed he took up a career as a high-rise window cleaner after departing Home and Away to experience life out of the limelight.  He told TV Tonight in 2010: "It was a pretty intense time coming out of high school to receive all this fame and adulation. As great as it was, I wanted to prove to myself I could get my hands dirty and sweat for a buck as easily as standing around on set, being primped and preened."
Cause of death:	On 24 July 2021, Brummer was found dead by suicide[12] at his home in Glenhaven, Sydney at the age of 45.  New South Wales Police Force officers discovered him after responding to a 'concern for welfare' report.

 

BRIAN HENDERSON
Date of death:	August 5, 2021
Age at death:	89
About:	New Zealand-born Australian radio and television personality and pioneer known for his association with the Nine Network as a television news anchor in Sydney, as well as a variety show presenter and host of music program Bandstand, the local version of the US music program American Bandstand. Henderson, who started his career in radio, went on to become a long-serving Australian newsreader for 45 years, having presented the New South Wales weekly bulletin, based in Sydney at TCN-9 from January 1957 until retiring in December 2002.
By the way:	From his first news broadcast in January 1957, Henderson used the tagline "... and that's the way it is", or "the way it is", to sign off after every bulletin, similar to United States newsreader Walter Cronkite. At the end of his final bulletin, Henderson's voice wavered as he told viewers it was time to watch the news, not present it: Not the way it was, as has been suggested, but for the last time, the way it is, this Friday the 29th of November, this is Brian Henderson, a sad Brian Henderson, saying not good night, this time, but goodbye.
Cause of death:	Henderson revealed he had throat cancer in 2014. He previously had other cancers; doctors said his prognosis was good. In February 2020, it was announced that Henderson had kidney cancer and that he had opted not to receive treatment.  Henderson died on 5 August 2021 at his home in Sydney.

 

BERT NEWTON
Date of death:	October 30. 2021
Age at death:	83
About:	Australian media personality who was a Logie Hall of Fame inductee, quadruple Gold Logie award-winning entertainer and radio, theatre and television personality and compere. Newton hosted the Logie Awards ceremony on 19 occasions. Newton was known for his collaborations opposite Graham Kennedy and subsequently Don Lane on their respective variety shows as well as appearances with his wife, singer Patti Newton. Newton started his career in radio broadcasting, primarily as an announcer before becoming a star and fixture of Australian television since its inception in 1956, and was considered both an industry pioneer, icon and one of the longest-serving television performers in the world. Newton was known for his association with both the Nine Network and Ten Network on numerous shows including In Melbourne Tonight, New Faces, Good Morning Australia, 20 to 1 and Bert's Family Feud.
By the way:	At the 1979 Logies awards Newton said to Muhammad Ali "I like the boy", not knowing that "boy" could be taken as a racial slur. Ali responded "Did he call me Roy?" and members of the audience, including Don Lane, shouted to Newton to say "Yes—Roy!". Newton looked puzzled and later explained to the media that he did not realise that "boy" was used as a racial slur. Ali at least realised Newton's use was unintended and they literally kissed and made up later on.  Immediately after the incident, Newton lightened the tension of the incident by saying: "I'll change my name, my religion ... anything", referring to Ali's change of name from Cassius Clay when he adopted Islam in 1964, and proceeding to shake his hands in feigned nervousness. "I like the boy" was a catchphrase Newton had previous used on a commercial playing Colonel Sanders.
Cause of death:	Newton had a toe infection in late 2020 and, due to complications treating this, one of his legs was amputated below the knee in May 2021.  He died on 30 October 2021,

 

JAMES GOBBO
Date of death:	November 7, 2021
Age at death:	90
About:	Australian jurist who served as the 25th Governor of Victoria, from 1997 to 2000. As Sir James Gobbo, he became a widely respected barrister, Queen’s counsel and, for 16 years, judge of the Supreme Court of Victoria. In 1997, he became the first governor of Victoria to come from a non-English-speaking background. His father Antonio, who had emigrated from northern Italy in 1927, was a terrazzo worker – a trade with rapidly shrinking opportunities as the economy collapsed. His mother Regina took in boarders from Melbourne’s Italian community, enclosing the verandah of the family’s terrace home with calico to create sleeping quarters. By 1935 the Gobbos had returned to Italy. But still restless, they came back to Australia within three years. James, aged seven, spoke not a word of English when the family landed back in Australia, though his career in the law and on the vice-regal stage would rely on an unusually elegant grasp of the language, both spoken and written. In 1939 the Gobbos bought a cafe, the St Kilda Grill Rooms in North Melbourne. With relentless work beginning to grant the family a stable future, young James’s mother determined that her son had a flair for academic learning and set about persuading him to study hard.
By the way:	Nicola Gobbo (“Witness X”), Australian former criminal defence barrister and police informant who passed to Victoria Police information about her clients whilst representing them, leading to the prospect of many convictions being overturned, is the niece of Sir James Gobbo.
Cause of death:	Cause of death not disclosed.

 

DAVID GULPILIL
Date of death:	November 29, 2021
Age at death:	68
About:	Australian actor and dancer, known for the films Walkabout, Storm Boy, Crocodile Dundee, Rabbit-Proof Fence and The Tracker. He was an Aboriginal Australian of the Yolngu people who was raised in a traditional lifestyle in Arnhem Land in northern Australia, and was a skilled dancer as a young man when British director Nicolas Roeg recognised his talent. Roeg cast the 16-year-old unknown to play a principal role in his internationally acclaimed motion picture Walkabout, released in 1971. Gulpilil's on-screen charisma, combined with his acting and dancing skills, was such that he became an instant national and international celebrity. He travelled internationally, mingled with famous people, and was presented to heads of state.  During these travels to promote the film, he met and was impressed with John Lennon, Bob Marley, Bruce Lee, Marlon Brando, and Jimi Hendrix. Gulpilil went on to appear in many more films and television productions, including the role of King George in Australia and roles in satellite Boy, Crocodile Dundee, Rabbit Proof Fence and The Proposition. Perhaps the most renowned traditional dancer in his country, he organised troupes of dancers and musicians and performed at festivals throughout Australia. In addition to his career in dance, music, film and television, Gulpilil was also an acclaimed storyteller. He wrote the text for two volumes of children's stories based on Yolngu beliefs. These books also feature photographs and drawings by Australian artists, and convey Gulpilil's reverence for the landscape, people and traditional culture of his homeland.
By the way:	Gulpilil had a battle with alcoholism since being introduced to it during filming of Walkabout. In later life, it led to several clashes with the law.
Cause of death:	Gulpilil was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer in 2017, and retired from acting in 2019. His illness prevented him from attending the 2019 NAIDOC Awards, where he was recognised with the lifetime achievement award.  Gulpilil died at his home in Murray Bridge, South Australia, on 29 November 2021. There is an Aboriginal custom of not speaking the name of any deceased Aboriginal person after their passing or showing their image.  Following his death, Gulpilil’s family released a statement that it was his wish that he wanted his storytelling through film to be shared, to be on the record for the generations to come. Om accordance with what he wanted, permission was given for his name and image to be used.

 

PETER CUNDALL
Date of death:	December 5, 2021
Age at death:	94
About:	English-born Australian horticulturalist, conservationist, author, broadcaster and television personality. He lived in Tasmania's Tamar Valley, and until 2008, at the age of 81, presented the ABC TV program Gardening Australia. Starting in 1967, he presented what is believed to be the world's first gardening talkback radio segment. He was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2007 "For service to the environment, particularly the protection of wilderness areas in Tasmania, and to horticulture as a presenter of gardening programs on television and radio." Cundall was an environmentalist and pacifist. He became a household name to Australian gardeners. In a 2008 issue of Reader's Digest, he came eighth in a poll of the 100 most trusted Australians.
By the way:	Near the end of World War II, Cundall joined the British Army's Parachute Regiment. He was stationed in various countries in post-war Europe in France, Austria, Germany, Italy and Yugoslavia; and in the Middle East in Egypt and the British Mandate for Palestine. During these travels, he visited many private and public gardens and parks to learn more about plants and landscaping practices covering a wide range of climatic conditions. He was also stationed at a liberated concentration camp and said the things he saw and heard had a deep impact on him. In 1946, Cundall was stationed in south-east Austria at Sankt Paul im Lavanttal where he was guarding captured Nazi Waffen-SS troops. He was enticed across the border into Yugoslavia by a beautiful girl named Angela, and was arrested by Marshal Tito's forces after she disappeared. He was sentenced without trial to four years' imprisonment for espionage, but was released into Trieste, Italy after six months in solitary confinement in a prison in Ljubljana, after pressure from the British government led to his release. Eager to hasten his emigration to Australia, Cundall enlisted in the Australian Army in 1950, believing that he was enlisting for a non-combat role as a librarian. He was immediately posted to Korea, however, with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, and once again saw action overseas as a machine gunner during the Korean War.  During a year-and-a-half based in Japan, he studied Japanese garden design and rock garden construction. He gained access to many famous gardens and bonsai nurseries and regularly went to observe new gardens being built in Hiroshima, which was undergoing reconstruction after the atomic bombing in 1945.
Cause of death:	Cundall died on 5 December 2021 after a short illness, cause of death not disclosed.