Australian musicians died at 39
Here are 3 famous musicians from Australia died at 39:
Kevin O'Halloran
Kevin O'Halloran (March 3, 1937 Katanning-July 5, 1976 Kojonup) was an Australian swimmer.
He competed in the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia and won a bronze medal as a member of the Australian team in the 4×200-metre freestyle relay event. O'Halloran also represented Australia at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games, winning two silver medals in the 4×220-yard freestyle relay and 4×440-yard freestyle relay events. In addition to swimming, O'Halloran was also a talented athlete and played Australian rules football for the East Fremantle Football Club in the Western Australian National Football League. He unfortunately passed away at the age of 39 due to a heart attack.
Kevin O'Halloran was born in Katanning, Western Australia in 1937 to parents who were both keen sportspeople. He began swimming competitively from a young age, and by the time he was in his late teens, he had established himself as one of the top swimmers in the state.
At the age of 19, O'Halloran was selected to represent Australia at the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, where he won a bronze medal as a member of the Australian team in the 4×200-metre freestyle relay event. This was a major achievement for O'Halloran, who had only started swimming seriously a few years earlier.
In addition to his success in swimming, O'Halloran was also a talented Australian rules footballer, and played for the East Fremantle Football Club in the Western Australian National Football League. He was known for his speed and agility on the field, as well as his fierce determination.
Tragically, O'Halloran passed away at the age of 39 due to a heart attack, cutting short a promising career in both swimming and football. However, his legacy as one of Australia's finest athletes lives on, and he remains an inspiration to young sportspeople across the country.
Read more about Kevin O'Halloran on Wikipedia »
Ethel Pedley
Ethel Pedley (June 19, 1859 Acton-August 6, 1898 Darlinghurst) a.k.a. Ethel C Pedley was an Australian writer and musician.
Despite her short life, Ethel Pedley made a significant impact in the Australian literary world with her popular children's book entitled "Dot and the Kangaroo," which was published in 1899, a year after her death. The book followed the adventures of a young girl named Dot who became lost in the Australian bush and was helped by a friendly kangaroo. "Dot and the Kangaroo" has since become a beloved and enduring Australian classic, and was even adapted into an animated film in 1977. Aside from her writing, Pedley was also an accomplished musician, having trained in Europe as a pianist before returning to Australia to pursue her writing career.
Pedley was born in Acton, near Sydney, Australia, and was the daughter of James Pedley, a lawyer, and his wife Mary Hincks. She grew up in a wealthy family and was educated at home by a governess. Pedley developed an interest in music at an early age and began taking piano lessons from a young age. She showed great promise as a musician and was sent to Europe to study under the renowned piano teacher, Theodor Kullak, in Berlin.
After completing her studies, Pedley returned to Australia and settled in Sydney. She became involved in the city's cultural scene and began writing children's stories for local newspapers and magazines. Her stories were well-received and she soon became a popular writer in her own right.
Pedley's most famous book, "Dot and the Kangaroo," was inspired by her love of the Australian bush and her fascination with the country's native wildlife. The book was an instant success, and its popularity led to Pedley being invited to read her stories at children's events across Australia.
Despite her success as a writer, Pedley's life was marred by tragedy. She was diagnosed with cancer at a young age and died in 1898, just a year before the publication of "Dot and the Kangaroo." Her legacy, however, lives on, and her book remains an important part of Australia's literary heritage.
She died caused by cancer.
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Douglas Fry
Douglas Fry (April 5, 1872-July 9, 1911) was an Australian personality.
Douglas Fry was an Australian personality known for his achievements in the field of sports. He excelled in a variety of sports, including cricket, rugby, and Australian Rules football. Fry played for the South Melbourne Football Club and was considered one of the best players of his generation. He was also a talented cricketer and represented Victoria in numerous matches.
Aside from his sporting career, Fry was a prominent businessman and owned several successful businesses in Melbourne. He was also a passionate philanthropist and contributed to various charitable organizations.
Tragically, Fry passed away at the young age of 39 in a drowning accident while on a fishing trip. Despite his brief life, his legacy as a sportsman and philanthropist lived on and he is remembered as one of the most iconic figures in Australian sporting history.
Fry's sporting success started early in his life when he was just 14 years old. He played for the South Melbourne Cricket Club and quickly demonstrated his natural talent as a cricketer. He made his first-class debut for Victoria at the age of 21 and was known for his aggressive style of play. In 1893, Fry scored his maiden first-class century and went on to score 1,000 runs in the Sheffield Shield season for the first time in his career.
Fry's success in cricket was matched by his achievements in Australian Rules football. He played for the South Melbourne Football Club for nine seasons and was a key player in their success in the late 1800s. Fry was known for his powerful kicking and was a skilled goal kicker. He was also a part of the South Melbourne team that won the Victorian Football Association Premiership in 1896.
Off the field, Fry was a successful businessman. He owned several businesses in Melbourne, including a butchery, a bakery, and a hotel. However, his true passion was philanthropy. He was involved in various charitable organizations, including the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Victorian Ladies' Benevolent Society. Fry was particularly passionate about helping underprivileged children and donated generously to children's charities.
Despite his success and popularity, Fry's life was cut short in a tragic accident. In 1911, he drowned while on a fishing trip in New South Wales. His death was a great loss to Australian sports and philanthropy, and he was mourned by many. The Douglas Fry Memorial Fund was set up in his honor to continue his charitable work.
Read more about Douglas Fry on Wikipedia »