As the final pages of the 2025 calendar turn, the year will be remembered not just for its headlines, but for the profound moments of loss and tragedy that resonated deeply across Australia and the world. From technological failures with deadly consequences to the sudden passing of beloved figures, these events have left an indelible mark of sadness.
A Nation Grieves: Tragedy Strikes at Home
The year delivered several heartbreaking blows close to home for Australians. In September, a catastrophic failure at telco giant Optus resulted in a 13-hour outage of the triple-0 emergency service. The software update, deployed in the early hours of September 18, went horribly wrong, preventing about 600 emergency calls from getting through. Tragically, three people died as a result, including two in Western Australia. Subsequent investigations revealed the company was slow to identify the fault and communicate with authorities, leading to multiple reviews and further outages in later months.
The WA community was also rocked by a fatal shark attack off the state's picturesque south coast. On March 10, 37-year-old Melbourne man Steven Payne was attacked by a great white shark while surfing at Wharton Beach, near Esperance. His partner, Catherine Birch, watched in horror from the shore. Drone footage captured by a tourist helped authorities estimate the shark to be between 3.2 and 3.5 metres long. Despite extensive searches, Mr Payne's body was never recovered. His family later expressed they did not support the culling of sharks in the wake of the tragedy.
The sporting world mourned the sudden death of West Coast Eagles premiership player Adam Selwood in May. The 41-year-old, remembered as the "ultimate team man," was honoured by his family, including his wife Fiona and brothers Joel and Scott. Joel's poignant social media tribute asked his late brother to look after their twin Troy, who had died just three months earlier. Selwood's 187-game career and subsequent coaching role cemented his legacy at the club.
Global Shockwaves and Royal Ruptures
Internationally, the assassination of American right-wing commentator Charlie Kirk on September 10 sent shockwaves through the political landscape. The 31-year-old was shot dead at a campus event, leading to eulogies from former President Donald Trump and a major crackdown on "political extremism" by his administration. The alleged shooter, 22-year-old Tyler James Robinson, faces a potential death penalty when his case goes to trial next year.
In a historic move for the British monarchy, King Charles III formally stripped his brother, Prince Andrew, of all royal titles in October. The decision, ending years of controversy linked to Andrew's association with Jeffrey Epstein, saw the Duke of York retreat to a private life on the Sandringham estate, now known simply as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Cultural Moments and Political Fortunes
Amid the solemnity, other events captured public attention. WA Premier Roger Cook led Labor to a significant, though reduced, election victory on March 8, securing 46 seats despite a 12.5 per cent swing against the party. His campaign was punctuated by a blunt, off-hand description of US Vice President JD Vance that made national news.
In April, a Blue Origin space flight carrying celebrities like Katy Perry and Gayle King was widely derided as a joyride for the super-rich, despite participants insisting on its scientific merits. Later in the year, singer Lily Allen surprised the music world with her critically acclaimed album "West End Girl," a raw account of her marriage breakdown that became a slow-burn hit.
WA also paused to honour a true hero with the state funeral of Arthur Leggett, the state's last surviving World War II prisoner of war, who passed away at the remarkable age of 106. His funeral in May featured a poignant procession symbolising the brutal Lamsdorf Death March he endured.
These events, spanning grief, shock, and reflection, define 2025 as a year where solemn moments underscored the fragility of life and the enduring impact of loss on communities from Perth to the global stage.
