An Australian icon departed this dimension of life on earth, Monday 14th May 2007.

Aaron McMillan died at the age of thirty, leaving a legacy of heroism and tenacity in the face of extreme adversity, after having struggled and fought against terminal cancer of the brain that first struck him down some six years ago. Having been given only three months to live then, this amazingly tenacious young man chose to live, fighting the disease that would eventually take his life. He had already become one of the brightest young pianists of his time, having played a solo concert at the Sydney Opera House, for an audience of 2,000 people when still only 19 years of age. In the months prior to his dying, at the Hospice of the Sacred Heart, in Darlinghurst, Sydney, opposite to St. Vincent’s Hospital, Aaron somehow was able to put together a compilation of nine CDs containing all of his works over his relative short if still very prolific career as a concert pianist. These CDs were launched at a special ceremony held at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, at which Radio 2GB’s Alan Jones, Sydney’s leading radio personality, acted as MC and the Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir formally did the launching. Amongst the dignitaries in attendance, was the famous Australia artist, Margaret Olley, author and academic, David Wansborough, and the Dean of the Conservatorium, Kim Walker, all of whom also made speeches in praise of this extraordinary young man. Several of his musical colleagues also performed various works for the audience.
Aaron was unable to be present because of being paraplegic for some time, as well as the difficulties posed by this for transportation.

Having been privileged to have known Aaron for several years and also become closely friendly with him, as well as his mother, Mrs. Gail Puckett, we share in what is truly the sad loss of such a wonderful soul.

Aaron was a true hero of mine, and also of my sons, James (my publisher) and John, because of what can best be described as his strength of spirit, in the way he dealt with what was at times a most devastating as well as disabling disease. The tenacity and strength that he displayed was the equal of either Lance Armstrong, the American cyclist, the most prolific Tour de France champion ever, who overcame testicular cancer during his career, or, Christopher Reeve, who played the role of Superman, in the movies, but suffered total quadriplegia, after a riding accident, and spent most of his final years promoting research into this area. Aaron was too modest to be put in such exalted company but anyone who knew him would invariably agree that his was heroism of a similar degree.

Aaron was an inspiration to all who met or knew him and also to those who saw the stories shown on ABC-TV’s Australian Story.

Aaron McMillan will be sorely missed now that he is no longer here physically, but will always be fondly remembered by all for his extraordinarily strong spirit, which we like to believe will still be amongst us, for he was someone who seemed to think that there is much more to life that what we see, feel, know and experience while we live in this dimension. Having spent several hours talking with him as well as recording much of what he thought and had to say, we will post some of these interviews, even if only partly, on this website, as well as in a documentary that we’ve been working on, of which Aaron was well aware and a very willing participant.

To his family, mother, Gail, stepfather, Giles, brother, Andrew, sister, Amy, and his father, Brian, we extend our sympathy, love and support.

For further information about Aaron’s collection of CDs with all of his music please visit his website at Aaron McMillan.com

Comments and condolences would be welcome and shall be forwarded to Gail and their family as well.

Tusitala

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