Get the appGiorgos Lygouris died on Friday at the age of 104. His daughter, Mary Tsimikli-Economopoulou, announced the news on social media, describing a quiet farewell. Born in Kalamata in 1922, he worked as a policeman in Greece before migrating to Germany and later to Australia in 1967. He and his wife, Athanasia, who died seven and a half years ago, had five children, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bec Lynch, aged 35, died peacefully in Manly on Saturday, 10 October 2026, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. A PDHPE teacher at Narrabeen Sports High School, she inspired her students and colleagues. Known as a familiar face along the Manly beachfront, she ran by the ocean each morning. Her family, friends, former students and the Northern Beaches community will deeply miss her.
Prominent LGBTQIA+ rights activist, author, archivist and historian Robert French AM has died at age 79. He passed away peacefully on Thursday morning, and the community has been sharing tributes. He played a key role in the movement to decriminalise male homosexuality in New South Wales and was a long-serving figure in the Pride History Walks. At his request, there will be no funeral, and a celebration of his life will be held later. In 2024 he was made a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the community and to history preservation.
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Get the appPort Adelaide has described the sudden death of former forward Daniel Stewart, aged 37, as devastating. Stewart played 36 games and kicked 31 goals for the club between 2010 and 2013. The club extended condolences to his family and said it would support teammates, coaches and staff who worked with him. Port Adelaide will honour Stewart by wearing black armbands at its first home game at Adelaide Oval next season.
Tamborine Mountain resident Betty Birch has died at the age of 83 after several years of illness. She is remembered for her devotion to family, her love of cooking and her collection of teddy bears. Born in Victoria in 1942, Betty later moved to Queensland with her husband Richard. The couple ran a bed and breakfast on Tamborine Mountain, where Betty took over the local shop Teddies on Tamborine. The shop drew collectors from across the country and overseas until changing retail habits and online shopping led to its closure.
Terry Denton, the author and illustrator who created more than 90 children's books, has died aged 76. He was best known for the line illustrations in The 13-Storey Treehouse series, written by Andy Griffiths. The series ended in 2023 and sold more than 13 million English language copies worldwide. Denton also produced picture books such as Felix and Alexander, which won a Children's Book Council of Australia award in 1986. He is survived by his wife, Kristen, three children and five grandchildren.
Emmy award-winning actor Tom Skerritt has died aged 93 of natural causes, his family said in a statement. Skerritt was known for the television series Picket Fences and films including Alien and Top Gun. He won an Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for Picket Fences in 1993. His first film role was a supporting part in the 1962 war film War Hunt, which also launched Robert Redford. Skerritt is survived by his third wife, Julie Tokashiki, and five children.
The Brimbank community is mourning Thea Dukic, who died in late September. She arrived from Holland in 1958 as a teenager and worked with migrant customers at Hampton's Menswear in St Albans. Her major contribution to local art is the Visions of St Albans mural, housed in the Tin Shed. Created in the 1990s, it reflects the post-war migrants who came to Australia. Her contributions were acknowledged at a recent council meeting, where mayor Virginia Tachos paid tribute to her legacy.
Charikleia Kaldis, wife of the late journalist and New South Wales Senator Jim Kaldis, has died. A former colleague at the state radio station 2EA, who first met her in 1970, has paid tribute to her. He describes her as a strong woman who fought for social justice, the rights of immigrants and an end to the war in Vietnam. He also recalls her opposition to the colonels' junta and her devotion to her son Antonis. He remembers her for her dynamism and her love of Greece.
Dick Beattie, known as Dick, has died aged 94. He spent 35 years in education, including as principal of Casino High School, before retiring in 1989. Dick and his wife Leila were active in community life for more than 30 years. He was a life member of Apex and the Casino Lions Club, and in 2003 received a Melvin Jones Fellowship. He was named Richmond Valley Citizen of the Year in 2009. Funeral details are yet to be announced.
The City of Albany has announced the death of former mayor and Honorary Freeman of the City Dennis Wellington. He served 23 years as an elected member and 12 years as mayor, the longest of any Albany mayor. In May 2026 he was made an Honorary Freeman of the City for his service. Current Albany Mayor Greg Stocks said Mr Wellington's death would be felt deeply across the community. The City has extended its condolences to his family and friends.
Academic metallurgist Chris Davies has died aged 61 of cancer. His research at Monash University in Melbourne helped explain how metals behave and how to control their properties in manufacturing. His work on light metals and alloys contributed to stronger, more reliable materials for aircraft, vehicles and medical devices. He held several leadership roles at Monash, including president of the Academic Board from 2016 to 2019. In 2025 he was named to the Monash Honour Roll. He is survived by his wife Sam, his son Calum, and his siblings Graham and his sister-in-law's family.
Veteran radio host Ewan Dixon has died in hospital, months after he was seriously injured in a horse riding accident near Melbourne. He died at Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully on September 24. His death was only recently made public by his care worker, Jason Davis. Former colleague Gavin Wood shared the news on Facebook, saying Dixon had fought hard to recover but his injuries were too severe. Born in Toowoomba, Dixon worked as an announcer on radio stations in Brisbane and Melbourne, including B105, Gold 104.3 and Triple M Melbourne.
Australian actor Gary Waddell has died aged 74. He became a familiar face in Australian film and television over several decades, starting with the 1976 drug drama Pure Shit. Waddell was known for bringing weight to small roles, including his standout performance as the title character in the 2012 black comedy The King Is Dead! His final screen performance was in the 2022 film The Survival of Kindness.
Adelaide broadcaster Peter Godfrey has died at the age of 75, with colleagues and listeners from Five AA and Radio Adelaide sharing tributes. Godfrey began his broadcasting career at Radio Adelaide as a breakfast announcer. At the end of 2010 he moved to Five AA, where he took on the overnight presenting role. The Wire's Thomas Koutis reported on the tributes, which have continued to arrive from those who worked with him and listened to his programs.
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Get the appEmu Plains local Barry Dukes has died, his family has confirmed on social media. Born in Emu Plains in 1943, Dukes spent his whole life in Penrith. He was known for decades in the motoring industry and in local sport, and as a passionate community advocate. In a recent podcast interview he said he would rather be a giver than a taker, and that he had a lot of friends.
Trevor Jones, known as Gypsy, has died aged 82. He was a figure in the late 1960s and early 1970s progressive rock scene and later worked as a session musician and record producer. In 1996 he set up a music performance and production department at Eastbourne College of Arts and Technology, which later became East Sussex College. He worked for the BBC as a producer in the late 1980s and retired from the college in 2012. He is survived by his wife, Dagmar, and their two sons, Damian and Toby.
Rumpel Stiltskin, legal name Jolly Goodfellow, has died aged 54. He was found dead in his vehicle in Los Angeles last week, and reports attribute his death to natural causes after a long illness. Born in Adelaide, he built his name on Australian festival circuits before performing in around 50 countries. His work included Cirque du Soleil and the Beatles show Love, and he became a favourite at Glastonbury. A GoFundMe campaign aims to retrieve his props and belongings.
Mike Ditka, who coached the Chicago Bears to their 1985 championship team, has died aged 86. Before becoming a head coach, he played as a tight end for the club. He also left a lasting mark on television during the later years of his Bears career. He appeared as himself in the final episode of the sitcom Cheers and was parodied on Saturday Night Live through a recurring sketch. His best-known screen role came in the Will Ferrell comedy Kicking and Screaming, where he helped coach a children's soccer team.