Brenden Borellini and mum Marlene Mitchell of Mackay die days apart

A former Young Australian of the Year who broke grounds as a deafblind student, and was known for his infectious spirit and contribution to the arts, has died just days before his mum.

Former Young Australian of the Year Brenden Guiseppe Borellini, of Mackay, died on Sunday August 4, aged 55 with his mum Marlene Ellen ‘Merle’ Mitchell passing away five days later on Friday August 9, aged 80. Picture: Newhaven Funerals

A Mackay mother and son have died only days apart from each other with a combined funeral to be held to celebrate their lives.

Former Young Australian of the Year Brenden Guiseppe Borellini died on Sunday August 4, aged 55 with his mum Marlene Ellen ‘Merle’ Mitchell passing away five days later on Friday August 9, aged 80.

Mr Borellini was an ambassador and Artist in Residence at Crossroad Arts Inc with funeral attendees asked to forgo flowers in lieu of donations to the Mackay-based community organisation.

Crossroad Arts posted members were “deeply saddened” by Mr Borellini and Ms Mitchell’s death.

Autumn Skuthrope and Brenden Borellini at the Audrey Hepburn Roman Holiday party fundraiser for Crossroads Arts in Mackay. Picture: Contributed

“Brenden is to many of us here at Crossroad Arts a dear friend, a valued colleague, an epic artistic collaborator and performer, a funny prankster, a poet, photographer, researcher and someone who brought laughter and joy to every occasion,” it posted to Facebook.

“Brenden was also a human rights advocate for the inclusion of all people and his influence and impact cannot be measured.

“Brenden’s infectious enthusiasm and curiosity for the world will be missed by all.”

Others who knew the mum and son have also shared memories and condolences on Facebook with Barbara Best writing they were “lovely human beings who will be sadly missed”.

Brenden Borellini ahead a planned tour ro Japan with some of his 2D and 3D photographs of trees from around the Mackay region.

Friend and fellow artist Matt Tandy said he spent “special times” with Mr Borellini including going on “some wild adventures”.

“I’ll miss eating Indian food in America with you bro, dancing, laughing, playing music or that time I had to be your wingman at a Berkeley College frat party on campus when we were there to show your film,” Mr Tandy wrote.

“Love you brother and I will think of you often you amazing soul.”

Autumn Skuthorpe and Brenden Borellini at the Mackay Mayor's Charity Ball 2021. Picture: Lillian Watkins

Former Queensland Arts Minister Ian Walker, who presented Mr Borellini with a Leadership Award in 2013, said the community had lost a “real champion of the arts”.

“And it is so poignant that we mourn his mum at the same time,” Mr Walker added.

Brenden Borellini became the first deaf and blind student in Australia to be integrated into a standard high school curriculum. Here he is pictured with the Young Australian of the Year Award in 1989, then in his early 20s. Picture: Australian of the Year Awards

Mr Borellini was born profoundly deaf and lost his sight by nine years old but that did not stop him aiming high.

He was the first deaf and blind Australian student to “be integrated into a standard high school curriculum,” according to the Australian of the Year website.

“With remarkable determination Borellini completed his secondary schooling in 1989 (at Brisbane’s Cavendish Road State High School) and was invited to London to receive a citation from the Princess of Wales.”

His short film When Brenden met Hiroe has featured at international festivals, one of his many accolades in the arts sector, and in 2020 he received Mackay Regional Council’s Australia Day Award for Arts and Culture, according to the Crossroad Arts website.

The funeral service for Mr Borellini and Ms Mitchell is scheduled to start at 2pm on Wednesday at Newhaven Chapel at 218 Harbour Rd, Mackay, and will be livestreamed for online viewers.