Tributes flow for Uncle Brian McKinnon, 65, after sudden passing

Tributes are flowing for a beloved Aboriginal elder and respected artist who suddenly died last month.

Uncle Brian McKinnon is being remembered as a warm and generous person after his sudden passing in July this year. Picture: Karen Dodd

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following story contains name and images of a deceased person. The name and images have been used with permission from the family.

Tributes are flowing for a beloved Aboriginal elder and respected artist who died suddenly last month.

Uncle Brian McKinnon died on July 20, aged 65.

His daughter, Dr Crystal McKinnon, said he had a deep love for his family and community.

“He was someone who was always there to listen and give advice,” she said.

“Not just to us as his kids, but anyone in his life and in the community.

“He was a really warm, open and generous person.”

Dr McKinnon said her dad had been on dialysis for a number of years and had been in hospital in the days leading up to his death.

He had been cleared to receive heart valve surgery on the day of his passing.

Uncle Brian McKinnon suddenly passed away last month, aged 65.

Born in Geraldton in Western Australia on August 11, 1957, Uncle Brian lived between Victoria and Western Australia during his younger years.

He spent most of his adult life in Geelong.

He met his wife, Jill, in 1979 when she was hitchhiking from Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads and they had three children together; Crystal, James and Richard.

Uncle Brian was involved with the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-Op from its early years and served on its board several times.

He ran the organisation’s Aboriginal art program, curated the first Indigenous art exhibition in Geelong in 1997 and his work was exhibited locally and internationally for more than 40 years.

Dr McKinnon said her dad was a jack of all trades and a skilled mechanic who “could fix anything”.

“But dad’s love was always for his art and culture and wanting to bring awareness to what was really happening with our people,” she said.

At a funeral service in Geelong earlier this month, his youngest son, Richard McKinnon, said it was important for his dad to teach his children to be proud of their heritage.

“He taught us to hold our head up high and never be ashamed of who we were,” he said.

“Dad modelled for me how we should walk in this world, and lived his truth.”

Dr McKinnon said her dad wanted to make the world a better place.

“He has left us far too soon,” she said.

Uncle Brian was about to submit his PhD at RMIT University before his death, which included almost 100 paintings, a series of live talking circles and a dissertation.

An exhibition of his work from his PhD will be on display at RMIT in November.

To help support the Uncle Brian’s family, visit gofundme.com/support-for-the-family-of-uncle-brian-mckinnon.

Originally published as Tributes flow for Uncle Brian McKinnon, 65, after sudden passing