Even beyond the band, Hirst’s creativity shone brightly. He played with several other groups — including Ghostwriters, Backsliders, The Angry Tradesmen and The Break — showing his versatility across genres from rock to blues.
In 2020, he recorded music with his daughter Jay O’Shea, a collaboration that spoke to both musical and familial reconnection later in life. And as recently as November 2025, he released his final solo EP, A Hundred Years or More, alongside longtime collaborator Jim Moginie and Hamish Stuart.
Hirst’s battle with pancreatic cancer — diagnosed in April 2023 — was a deeply personal struggle, marked by both physical challenge and artistic reflection. In interviews, he spoke candidly about aging, mortality and the meaning of his own journey, channeling these thoughts into later musical work.
Despite his illness, Hirst continued to work, laugh, perform and record — embodying a resilience that mirrored the ethos of the music he had helped create. When he passed on January 20, he was described as peacefully surrounded by loved ones, a testament to the closeness of his family and band community.
💔 Tributes and Mourning
The announcement of Hirst’s death prompted waves of tribute from around the world. Fellow musicians, fans, cultural figures and public leaders all recognized not just the artist he was, but the person — generous, deliberate, and committed to truth through his art.
Tributes poured in from fellow Australian rocker Jimmy Barnes, government figures like Minister Tony Burke, and countless fans who shared how Hirst’s music shaped their lives and convictions.
On social platforms, fans shared memories of wild live shows, unforgettable drum solos and moments where the music felt bigger than the stage it was played on. Many hailed him as the heartbeat of the band, a driving force who inspired both musicians and listeners alike.
🎶 The Sound That Still Moves Us
Hirst’s drumming wasn’t just rhythmic — it was emotional, urgent, and purposeful. Whether it was the thunderous pulse of “Beds Are Burning” or the intricate dynamics of live performances, his presence on the kit gave Midnight Oil their unmistakable propulsion.
📚 Final Thoughts: Legacy and Influence
Rob Hirst leaves a legacy that defies simple summary. He was a musician who pushed boundaries, a lyricist who made his beliefs part of his art, and a human being who shared his passions and vulnerabilities with the world. From Sydney pubs to global festival stages, from social activism to heartfelt solo recordings, his life’s work resonated with meaning.
Though he has passed, his impact endures — preserved in songs that still carry weight, in the hearts of those who heard them, and in a global rock legacy that refuses to fade. As one fan’s tribute put it simply:
“We didn’t lose just a drummer — we lost part of our conscience.”
Rob Hirst will be remembered not only for his legendary beats, but for a life lived with purpose, courage and conviction — a life that gave the world more than music… it gave it a voice.
