The Australian literary and journalistic community is mourning the loss of one of its most distinguished voices. Robert Macklin, a prolific and respected author and journalist, has died at the age of 84 following a long illness.
A Life Defined by the Written Word
Based in Canberra, Macklin's career was nothing short of monumental. His byline appeared on 32 books, alongside numerous stage and screenplays and hundreds of articles, amounting to more than five million published words. His final novel, The Passions of Milford Haven, was completed just days before his passing on Boxing Day 2025.
His body of work showcased an extraordinary range. It spanned from the critically acclaimed biography Castaway, about the cabin boy Narcisse Pelletier, to the international bestseller SAS Sniper. His most recent publication, The Man Who Planted Canberra - Charles Weston and his three million trees, released by the National Library in late 2025, is already in its second printing.
Significantly, 26 of his published works were non-fiction, dedicated to exploring genuine Australian history, moving beyond traditional colonial narratives.
From Cadet to Acclaimed Author
Born in Brisbane in 1941, Macklin's journey began with an early essay penned at Brisbane Grammar School. He worked as a jackaroo in outback Queensland before starting his media career as a cadet at the Courier-Mail while studying part-time at the University of Queensland.
His career took him to The Age in Melbourne and then to its Canberra bureau in 1964. It was in the national capital that he met and married Wendy Webster, a teacher and music specialist, celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary in December 2025.
His diverse experiences led to a role as press secretary to Country Party leader John McEwen in 1967. Later, he and his young family moved to the Philippines, where he produced documentary films across Asia and the South Pacific for the Asian Development Bank. It was during this time he wrote his first novel, The Queenslander, now slated for a television adaptation.
A Canberra Institution and Lasting Legacy
Macklin joined The Canberra Times in 1990, where he became a founding arts editor, restaurant critic, and feature writer. His popular Page 3 column, A Capital Life, forged a deep connection with readers. In 2000, he helped initiate Canberra's Walk for Reconciliation across Commonwealth Avenue Bridge.
His investigative work was formidable, including breaking the story of the secretly imprisoned intelligence officer known as "Witness J." His expertise also saw him contribute to John Menadue's Pearls and Irritations public policy journal.
Macklin's work garnered significant recognition, including the $30,000 Blake Dawson prize for business literature in 2009 for The Big Fella (co-authored with Peter Thompson) and four Canberra Critics Circle awards, particularly for works supporting Aboriginal reconciliation.
Tributes from colleagues underscore his impact. Lifelong friend and collaborator Peter Thompson praised his "style, insight and humour," calling him "one of Australia's most versatile authors." Writer Rob Drewe, a friend of 62 years, said Macklin was "so admired and respected" in the worlds of literature and journalism.
Robert Macklin is survived by his wife Wendy, his two sons Rob and Ben, and four grandchildren.
