Heartbreakingly, Damian passed away on 18th October 2024 shortly after his 56th birthday. He was an exceptionally special and talented person with a calming, gentle presence, great sense of humour and kind, generous nature.
Born in Melbourne Australia, Damian spent an adventurous childhood in Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. His family then moved to England where he enrolled as a weekly boarder in Holman house, Epsom College. He thrived there, immersed in his studies, playing rugby, and made enduring friendships. It became a chapter of his life close to his heart from then on.
After returning to homeland Australia aged 17, his love for travelling and adventure continued. Having completed his Bachelor of Design at Curtin University, he moved to London and Europe for a couple of years. During his thirties he relocated to South East Asia for positions in global advertising agencies in Shanghai & Beijing.
Damian’s prodigious creative talent and design skill led him to enjoy a successful career as a Graphic Designer & Art Director. He was a master of his craft who strove for perfection. His work was widely admired, as was his convivial good nature and charismatic character as a colleague. He was also very gifted in figurative art.
Damian launched a graphic design business and later partnered with a boutique branding agency in Sydney, where he lived for many years and we first met. We moved to Perth together where his beloved family lives, then to Brisbane for a role he took at an acclaimed property branding agency.
A man of great taste and style, Damian loved classic cars and motorcycles, and was passionate about all forms of art, design and architecture. He enjoyed a drop of Japanese whisky, soulful cooking and surrounded himself with collections of objects, books, graphic novels and music.
Damian had a magnetic personality that people were drawn to. He was a good friend to many, renowned for his great generosity, and more than a few have said that Damian inspired them to be better.
The courageous two-year battle he fought with cancer was a challenge Damian stoically took in his stride as he did everything. A mutual love of nature and the coast motivated our final move to the Byron Bay Hinterland last year. Damian enjoyed absorbing the great beauty of the area up to the end.
He is deeply mourned and missed but his legacy endures through his extraordinary imprint on us. We are all so lucky to have known and loved him.
Rest in peace, darling D.
