The Australian music community is in mourning following the death of Midnight Oil drummer and founding member, Rob Hirst. He was 70 years old.
A Heroic Three-Year Fight Ends
Rob Hirst passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loved ones, after an almost three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The sad news was confirmed by his Midnight Oil bandmates in a social media post on Tuesday.
"After fighting heroically for almost three years, Rob is now free of pain - 'a glimmer of tiny light in the wilderness'," the band's statement read. The poignant phrase references the band's powerful lyrics, offering a fitting tribute to their late comrade.
Raising Awareness and a Final Request
Hirst had publicly shared his diagnosis in April 2025, revealing that the illness had progressed to the point where he could no longer play the drums due to breathing difficulties. In speaking out, he aimed to shed light on a disease that often goes unnoticed until it is advanced.
"I wanted to get the story of pancreatic cancer out there, because it's one of those cancers that most people don't really register," Hirst said at the time. His family has now asked that well-wishers honour his memory by making a donation to one of two causes.
The preferred charities are:
- Pankind — Pancreatic Cancer Australia, which supports research and patients facing the same disease.
- Support Act, the music industry charity providing crisis relief to Australian artists and music workers.
A Legacy Forged in the 1970s
Rob Hirst was a foundational pillar of the iconic Australian rock band Midnight Oil, which he helped form in the 1970s. His powerful, driving rhythms became synonymous with the band's politically charged and environmentally conscious anthems, which resonated deeply across the nation and around the world.
He leaves behind his wife, Lesley Holland, and their three daughters. The loss is felt not only by his family and bandmates but by generations of fans who were moved by the music he helped create.
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