Report: Greg Phillips. Photos: Jason Rosewarne.
We were incredibly honoured to be invited to the launch of acclaimed musician Rob Hirst’s book, World Is Almost at Peace: A Lifetime of Songwriting for Midnight Oil and More, last night at Hamer Hall, where, thanks to the generosity of Midnight Oil fans, Rob’s iconic Ludwig drum kit now resides.
The launch gave the tight-knit Powderworkers fan community the chance to gather and pay tribute to the dearly departed Hirst. More than just a book launch, it was a solemn memorial and a celebration of an incredible life.
Beginning his musical journey as a teenager playing drums in jazz bands, Hirst helped form the group that would become Midnight Oil in the 1970s. He developed a powerful, energetic drumming style that became a defining feature of the band’s sound. Beyond his drumming, he was an accomplished songwriter who co-wrote some of the band’s most famous songs, including “Beds Are Burning”, “The Dead Heart” and “Power and the Passion”, which often explored social justice, Indigenous land rights and environmental issues.
Throughout his career, he also performed with other groups, including Ghostwriters, Backsliders, The Angry Tradesmen and The Break, demonstrating his versatility across rock, blues and surf music. Following Midnight Oil’s farewell tour in 2022, Hirst continued to pursue musical projects and collaborations, leaving a lasting legacy as one of Australia’s most influential rock musicians. He died on 20 January 2026, aged 70, and is remembered for his extraordinary musicianship, songwriting talent and contribution to Australian music.
In front of Rob’s wife, Leslie, and daughter, Lex, Melbourne music identity Tracee Hutchison welcomed guests and thanked the Powderworkers community for its efforts in raising $90,000 to purchase Rob’s drum kit before donating it to the Australian Museum of Performing Arts. Rob’s humble wish had been to raise at least $10,000 from the sale of the kit and donate the proceeds to charity. Recipients included Music NT’s Fix ’Em Up Truck campaign and Support Act.
Jack Howard, horn player for Hunters & Collectors, his own solo projects and, of course, Midnight Oil, delivered the first speech, expressing his joy at having been asked to tour with The Oils. A huge fan of the Head Injuries album, Jack recalled ringing his mates one night to tell them that he’d just sung backing vocals on “Koala Sprint”!
Jack then joined William Crighton and a host of other guest musicians to perform “World Almost at Peace”, a Rob Hirst Ghostwriters song that also shares its title with the newly launched book of lyrics, stories and photos.
Music NT’s Mark Smith and Jeremy Conlon, along with Support Act’s Clive Miller, spoke about the significance of receiving donations from the Powderworkers community and shared their connections to Hirst.
Things of Stone and Wood’s Greg Arnold spoke briefly about his experience touring with The Oils on their Earth and Sun and Moon tour before performing “Outbreak of Love” alongside Michael Allen, Tony Floyd and Ashley Naylor.
Paul Clarke, director of the acclaimed Midnight Oil documentary The Hardest Line, spoke about watching the final cut of the film with Rob. He suggested that trying to fit a 40-year career into one movie was like trying to “stuff a doona into a Scotch bottle”! However, at the end of the viewing, Rob looked at Paul and simply said, “No changes.”
Following Paul’s speech, Rob’s close friend and lauded bass player Rick Grossman (Divinyls, Matt Finish, Hoodoo Gurus) came to the microphone to share an emotional recollection of his mate. He reflected on their shared love of The Who and suggested that they both viewed life with a raised eyebrow!
In one of the most amusing moments of the night, Rick recounted a time when Rob Hirst had come to spend some time at the Grossman family home. Rick’s stepfather believed that anyone staying in the Grossman home had to contribute, and assigned Hirst to “dogshit detail”. When Rick’s stepfather was nearing the end of his life due to illness, Rob spoke with him on the phone, during which the stepfather declared, “Rob, you’ll always be on dogshit detail!”
Nearing the end of the night, Hannah Crofts (aka Baby Velvet), Mika James, Tim Baker and Atticus Flynn took to the stage with their instruments to perform a glorious version of “King of the Mountain”, complete with enthusiastic crowd participation.
Rob’s daughter, Lex, then spoke, telling us that she had been prepared for the impact of the speeches but not for her own reaction to hearing her dad’s music performed or the outpouring of love from the Oils’ community. Lex had worked alongside her “restlessly creative” father to help complete his book.
To conclude the speeches, Rob’s bandmate and collaborator, Midnight Oil guitarist Jim Moginie, represented the band and spoke about how, since Rob’s death, he had continued to feel his presence. Jim recited a letter to Rob in which he recalled some warm-hearted moments with his dear friend. These included the time Rob played an entire newly written Ghostwriters album to him on a train from Geneva to Montreux, much to the bewilderment of fellow train travellers.
Explaining the creation of the classic Midnight Oil song “The Dead Heart”, written by Rob Hirst and his bandmates, Jim then invited many of the night’s musicians back to the stage, including William Crighton, Rick Grossman, Ashley Naylor, Greg Arnold, Jack Howard, Hannah Crofts, Mika James, Atticus Flynn and Nick Rieth, to help deliver an epic version of the song. See below.
There were many tears and plenty of cheers for the globally loved musician and activist as family and friends remembered Rob. Australian Musician magazine was privileged to be there to experience it all.
Kudos to Powderworkers community leader Matthew Yau for organising this very special event, alongside Hardie Grant Books and the Australian Museum of Performing Arts, whose new exhibition, Encore! 50 Objects. 50 Years. One Collection, includes Rob Hirst’s legendary Ludwig drum kit.
Rob Hirst’s book, World Is Almost at Peace, is now available in selected bookstores or via the Hardie Grant website
Note: The book contains a photograph by our own fabulous photographer, Jason Rosewarne, who captured the night’s action in photos, as well as the wonderful finale video of “The Dead Heart”.
