The Project star Hamish Macdonald has revealed the heartbreaking loss of his father Iain, aged 85.
The television personality, 43, took to LinkedIn on Friday to share the news, disclosing his father had succumbed to Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia on Sunday.
Sharing a photo of his father to the platform, Hamish penned a heartfelt yet ‘objective’ tribute, as per his father’s wishes.
‘Dad left instructions in his will that any funeral notice should be “succinct, basic and free from any subjective statements”,’ he wrote.
‘He was 85 when he died on Sunday. A proud father and grandfather. He’d been a rower and skier and pharmacist. We will miss him greatly.’
Hamish continued the tribute saying his father’s end was ‘peaceful’ despite the ravages of his condition.
‘Dad found the loss of independence that came with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia truly difficult but he was peaceful at the end, surrounded by family.
He received outstanding care in the Aged Care system from carers, nurses and doctors who afforded him both respect and dignity to the final hour. We thank them.
The Project star Hamish Macdonald has revealed the heartbreaking loss of his father Iain, aged 85 after succumbing to Parkinson’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia
He signed off the tribute with an affectionate: ‘Love you Grumble Bum x.’
A slew of Hamish’s broadcasting colleagues were quick to offer their condolences, including Channel 10 news presenter Sandra Sully.
‘Big hugs to you Hamish. It’s all so very sad when you lose a parent,’ Sandra wrote.
ABC stalwart Geraldine Doogue and co-host of the ABC podcast Global Roaming with Hamish, also offered a kind word, writing: ‘Yes Hamish peas-in-a-pod to be sure. You certainly supported him, to my eyes, in an exemplary way. Go well without him.’
Sharing a photo of his father to Linkedin on Friday, Hamish penned a heartfelt yet ‘objective’ tribute, as per his father’s wishes
According to Dementia Australia, Lewy body dementia is an umbrella term describing two forms of dementia – dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease dementia.
Lewy body dementia cause changes in a sufferer’s thinking, movement, behaviour and bodily functions.
A Lewy body is a tiny tangle of protein called alpha-synuclein inside brain cells. These tangled proteins cause damage that affects movement, thinking and behaviour.
‘Dad left instructions in his will that any funeral notice should be “succinct, basic and free from any subjective statements”,’ he wrote
In 2024 the former host of ABC’s Q&A, joined dementia sufferer and fellow journalist Jim Rogers to host the Dementia Australia podcast Hold The Moment.
Speaking to Hello Care about the podcast, Hamish said he had been left in awe of the people he had met, living with dementia, through the project.
‘As a journalist I’ve met many people living with dementia, but all of this hit close to home a few years ago when my dad was diagnosed with dementia,’ Hamish said.
‘The stories shared by all the people living with dementia involved will help to break down barriers that discourage people seeking help and reduce the impact of social isolation.
‘Receiving news of a diagnosis is huge and at every step of this project I’ve been in awe of all of the people living with dementia willing to share about their often intensely personal experiences to help others.’
