‘The one we looked up to’: Brendan Luxton’s high-flying life

A role model for his family and friends, Brendan Luxton had the “fullest, richest life” packed with achievements many could only dream of – but remained so humble you never would have known.

Brendan Luxton wanted to be one of two things when he grew up – the Prime Minister of Australia, or a Greyhound bus driver so he could bring his Nana to visit all the time.

Adored by his parents Paul and Elizabeth and a cherished role model for his younger siblings, Marita and Derek, Brendan was destined to make a mark.

Extremely intelligent, yet never boastful, he easily made friends and had a knack for making people feel good about themselves, that they could achieve anything.

He’d happily help little Marita and Derek with their homework, and from about age 11 take on part-time jobs to save for the adventures he knew he’d have one day.

That meant he’d be cramming for his own exams, sacrificing sleep for study, including at the University of Queensland where he gained a commerce-law degree.

Brendan Luxton on one of his adventures.

Family was everything to Brendan.

“As the oldest, he’s the one we looked up to,” said Marita Corbett.

“I wouldn’t be who I am without him. When I was at school, I didn’t think I was smart enough to go to uni but he used to take me to the law school to study to show me I could, and he is so proud of who I am now.”

Brendan Luxton loved to travel and regularly indulged his passion for the arts, including opera, galleries and reading.

Derek Luxton, who eschewed university for a trade, said Brendan “encouraged me all the way”.

“He didn’t judge what anyone did for a living, and the thing I loved about him most, he was such a caring person, and it wasn’t fake caring.

“People talk about integrity and ‘do what’s right when no one is watching’, that was him.”

Marita Corbett and Derek Luxton. Picture: Jamie Hanson

Brendan decided against a legal career and in his early 20s moved to Canada, and over the next 24 years rose to the top of his field.

As head of foreign currency trade for Scotia Bank, based in Toronto, he looked after the UK, Japanese and Canadian markets while also leading foreign exchange strategy for many other countries.

He travelled extensively, ran marathons all over the world, and indulged his passion for the arts – going to the opera, visiting galleries and reading widely.

“He was Wikipedia on speed dial,” recalled Mrs Corbett.

“He was incredibly knowledgeable and had the fullest, richest life but he was so humble and very generous; you’d never have known the success of this human being.”

When Brendan retired at 47, he relocated to Calgary and then New Zealand, all the while keeping in close touch with his family.

“The bond between him and mum was particularly fierce, and words can’t express mum’s extraordinary love for her very special son,” Mrs Corbett said.

“Brendan took mum travelling to some of the iconic places around the world and he never stopped acknowledging and thanking her for her dedication and hard work.”

Diagnosed with anxiety and depression, Brendan had been on medication for about 18 years and doing well until Covid hit and New Zealand went into lockdown.

“Travelling and visiting galleries were my brother’s oxygen, and without those things, he was choking,” Mr Luxton said.

In dark days when Brendan had suicidal thoughts, he said he “would never do it because I love my mum too much”.

Originally published as ‘The one we looked up to’: Brendan Luxton’s high-flying life