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Rolling Stone Australia noted that Hirst’s creative energy went beyond Midnight Oil — he played in other bands like Ghostwriters, Backsliders, The Angry Tradesmen and The Break, and even continued releasing new music into his final years.
The Battle With Pancreatic Cancer
Hirst kept much of his illness private until 2025, only revealing his condition publicly as he continued to work on music and spend precious time with his family. Even as his health declined, he released an EP titled A Hundred Years or More with longtime collaborators Jim Moginie and Hamish Stuart, including heartfelt contributions from his daughters.
His commentary on this final work showed the heart of a true artist — ever reflective, ever open to creation: “I believe in the goodness of people and their hearts and their motivations…” he said, words that revealed both vulnerability and enduring optimism.
A Life Remembered By Fans and Fellow Artists
When news of Hirst’s death broke, tributes poured in from fans, fellow musicians and friends alike — a testament to just how far his influence reached.
Midnight Oil’s own statement was raw and heartfelt: “We are shattered and grieving the loss of our brother Rob… For now there are no words but there will always be songs.”
Australian music royalty also weighed in. Rockers like Jimmy Barnes and members of bands such as Cold Chisel honored Hirst’s legacy, remembering him not only for his musical talent but for the generosity and humanity he showed on and off stage.
Even international celebrities felt the loss. Actor Hugh Jackman, a longtime fan of Midnight Oil, shared a personal tribute, calling the band one of his “favorite bands” and expressing that Hirst’s music had played a meaningful role in his life.
Online, the reaction was swift and emotional. Fans shared memories of live shows, the impact of Hirst’s drumming on their own musical journeys, and stories of how his rhythms had become the soundtrack to key moments in their lives.
In news coverage of Hirst’s passing, journalists also noted the broader challenge posed by pancreatic cancer — a disease that often lacks early symptoms and has a low survival rate. According to experts, Australia — where Hirst was born and lived — sees thousands of diagnoses yearly, with survival statistics among the worst of all common cancers.
Hirst’s battle, and the public attention it received, has helped shine a light on this medical challenge — prompting fans and health advocates alike to consider the importance of research, early detection, and support for those affected by pancreatic cancer.
In tribute to his life and legacy, the Hirst family asked that donations in his memory be made to organizations such as Pankind, Pancreatic Cancer Australia, or Support Act, linking his remembrance to causes that have personal and community impact.
Musical Legacy: The Beating Heart of a Band and a Movement
For nearly five decades, Rob Hirst’s presence behind the drum kit was more than musical — it was symbolic. Midnight Oil’s sound was raw, urgent and uncompromising; their energy stemmed from the political pulse of the 1980s through to their farewell tours in the 2020s. Hirst’s contributions were foundational to that drive and spirit.
The band’s farewell studio album Resist in 2022, followed by tours that brought them face‑to‑face with countless fans around the world, marked the end of an era — yet it didn’t mark the end of Hirst’s musical voice. Even in his final years, he continued to make music that reflected his experience and worldview.
Songs like Beds Are Burning and Blue Sky Mine are not just hits — they are part of the cultural conversation, reminding listeners of the world beyond the stage, the communities at stake and the issues that matter. Hirst helped shape that legacy.
Beyond music, fans and friends speak of Hirst’s warmth, humor and generosity. Online tributes depict a man who inspired not only through performance but through personal encounters — from shared drumsticks to conversations before or after shows.
His influence extended far beyond Australia; fans from around the world recounted memories of seeing the Oils live, discovering their political messages and feeling the raw energy of Hirst’s rhythmic conviction.
Many remembered not just a drummer, but a force of nature — someone whose rhythms kept a band together and whose music helped define a generation.
A Final Farewell — Free From Pain, Forever in Song
Rob Hirst’s fight with pancreatic cancer resonates deeply because it was both heroic and heartbreakingly human. For nearly three years he battled a disease known for few early warnings and a high mortality rate — yet he continued to create, to love, and to connect with those around him.
Friends, fans and fellow musicians will remember him as someone who lived with purpose — not just in performance, but in the way he embraced life, all the notes he played, and the stories he helped tell. His music will continue to echo long after these first waves of grief have passed.
In a band known for urgency, intensity and conscience, Rob Hirst’s rhythms were its core pulse. Now, as fans around the world listen again to those songs that helped shape their lives, his beat will live on.
Tribute and Reflection
Rob Hirst is survived by his wife, Lesley Holland, and their daughters Gabriella, Lex, and Jay O’Shea, who shared in both his life and his final projects. His legacy — musical, cultural, human — remains an enduring testament to the power of song and the strength of the human spirit.
Rest in peace, Rob Hirst — your beat goes on.
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