Vale - Geoffrey Hirst
The Hirst brothers, Peter and Geoffrey during the run of The Yeomen of the Guard in 2004
Peter Hirst writes about the recent death of his brother, Geoffrey Hirst, who died on the 2nd of October 2009 and who was a well-respected, loved and legendary figure in the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Victoria.
Geoffrey was a member of the Society for over 50 years and performed many times in the chorus of all the shows. He was a great lover of all music particularly Dixieland Jazz, and his love of G&S was first evident when as a boy soprano he sang in the chorus of the operas, and later in the male chorus, in school, at Geelong College.
He was delighted to perform in his first show with the G&S Society in 1956, The Sorcerer, with his uncle Max Hirst who was one of the founders and outstanding performers in the formative years of the Society. Geoffrey's his last performance on stage was in 2001.
Geoffrey had a strong bass voice and was a valued and reliable member of the chorus in over 80 shows. He was a member of the General Committee 1969-1970 and the Scenery Committee 1969-1971, and as the owner of his own engineering business, he was of great assistance to the Society in providing help with scenery and props.
Geoffrey met his second wife Rachel Buckley, a G&S Society stalwart, at a G& S after- show party, and for many years they sang together in G&S Operas, Music Theatre and other choral and musical performances. In the latter years of his life, as he did not like the cold weather in Melbourne, moved to Cairns where he had a very rewarding time singing as a member of the Cairns Choral Society. After a few years there he became unwell and returned to Melbourne so that Rachel could look after him. When his health deteriorated further he moved into care when she could no longer give him the nursing he needed. As his faculties continued to fail he often attended rehearsals with Rachel, and the music seemed to stimulate memories of his many happy years singing G&S and all the other music which had been such a huge part of his life.
Sadly he contracted pneumonia, and passed away peacefully in hospital with Rachel at his bed-side playing him the music that he loved. Geoffrey would have been thrilled at the number of his musical friends, especially those from the G&S Society who attended his funeral, and by the music that they performed in his memory.
In July this year, Brett left the Hong Kong Ballet (where he was noted as an exceptional partner and actor-dancer at his best in modern work and dramatic roles) and has joined the Australian Ballet as a Coryphée. He is currently dancing the role of one of the Prince Suitors to the hand of Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty at the State Theatre.
