Goodbye Gavin Larkin
I’m sad to report the passing of Gavin Larkin.
Those who watched this month’s incredibly moving Australian Story program will be well aware of his story.
Many in the industry will have known Gavin – who ran STW’s The Brand Shop prior to his illness – for longer than me. Later in the week, we’ll carry a more considered piece from somebody who knew him better than I did.
However, I was lucky enough to get to know Gavin a little through The Brand Shop, and then through R U OK Day which he founded, in part as a result of his own father’s suicide.
http://youtu.be/hRrLYTokNE4
In an industry where I have not met many inspiring people, he was one of them.
A message on his blog was posted last night:
RIP Gav
Our beloved Gavin Larkin passed away this afternoon at 3.28pm. He was surrounded by his family and the love that he has created. He will never be forgotten for who he was, how he lived and what he has left behind. I know I speak on behalf of all that knew him when I say Gav, thank you for being you. The world is a better place for having had you in it.
I hope the industry does something significant to remember him.
Tim Burrowes
Linkedin
Well said Tim. I only met him a few times, but was always highly impressed.
He leaves an amazing legacy with RUOK day and I don’t mind admitting to shedding a tear during Australian Story. Such courage and positive thinking
My thoughts and sympathies are with his beautiful family now
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He will be sadly missed by many.
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I worked with Gav briefly at Y&R Sydney. Back then he struck me as a decent man in an industry that often doesn’t encourage decency.
His later work on R U OK Day only confirmed my earlier beliefs, especially given that he was acting with truly altruistic motives, with not an award entry in sight.
We have lost one of the good guys and my thoughts are with his family and friends.
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It’s beyond tragic. A big loss for all, but mostly his loving family. Our thoughts are with them.
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Am tearing up. I didn’t know Gavin but was deeply moved by Australian Story and have been thinking about him and his family ever since. A strong and inspiring man. HIs wife has been through more pain than many of us will ever experience and i hope she is being supported by the industry.
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I had the great fortune of knowing Gavin (and Maz) not through advertising circles but via one of his best mates, David. What a great man, full of energy, full of life, full of ideas. i was stunned when he rang me to tell me that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. It’s just not fair. But what’s amazing was a call I got from Gav a couple of months ago and then a few follow up messages asking us to get behind RUOK Day? I mean here was a man tremendously sick, yet so unselfishly trying to make the world a better place for everyone else. They broke the mould when they made him. RIP Gavin!
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I never had the pleasure of meeting Gavin, but I think we’ve lost an amazing human being.
RU OK Day genuinely touched the lives of a number of people who are dear to me and I think has made a huge contribution to de-stigmatising mental illness -in only two years.
It’s an incredible legacy that I’ll be continuing to support.
My condolences to his family and friends.
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A true inspiration to us all. Thanks Gavin. RIP, you’ve earned it! Until we meet again…
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Big gav, you were a true gentleman and a reminder to us all whats really important in life.
Jack, rob and col
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Like so many, I was saddened to know of Gav’s illness and now to learn that he has gone. We have lost a remarkable man. I had the great pleasure of working with Gav when he was at Y & R managing the Foxtel account. He was always the utmost professional and a hell of a nice guy to boot. May his memory live on through the legacy of his incredible work for R U Okay Day.
R.I.P. Gav
Brian Walsh
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So incredibly sad. I did not know him well but I liked him, and greatly admired his fighting spirit.
My heart goes out to his family – I am sure they are incredibly proud of Gavin. I wish them strength.
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The world has lost some sparkle and will definately be a poorer place without you Gavin. Thinking of your beautiful family and the joy that you brung!
D
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I enjoyed working with Gavin on both KFC and GSK and admired his straightforwardness and drive, a real tragedy with so much more to give, a role model for many I’m sure,
My heartfelt condolences to his family.
Simon Bellamy
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I had the pleasure of meeting Gavin a couple of times, during his time at Y&R. A guy who clearly carried passion and conviction into everything he did. A class act. RIP Gavin and condolences to his family and many friends.
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I was privileged enough to have worked with Gavin and his team at The Brand Shop. What an inspirational man who leaves behind a wonderful legacy in ‘R U OK day’. Our thoughts and good wishes are all with his beautiful wife and family right now. the Australian Story piece had me in tears from the get go. Extra special wishes to his beautiful son.
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The old saying “Gone to his reward” was never truer.
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Gavin was the bravest man I have had the privilege to know.
His energy and leadership at Singos, The Brandshop and throughout STW had such a positive impact. It was only surpassed by what he achieved with R U OK? and in how he has dealt with his health issues and his passionate care for his family.
My life and that of many of my colleagues has been so positively and permanently impacted by Gavin and what he has taught us all.
Our thoughts are with his family.
Thanks Gav.
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I saw the Australian story program and was moved by his predicament and that of his son.
Gavin apologised straight to camera for being a dickhead during his agency time which was a nice thing to do.
So how about all those agency bosses who are still acting like dickheads stop it and learn from Gavin’s experience without the need for a terminal illness to make them realise life is about more than grinding employees into the dirt.
Gavin did a great thing with RU OK Day and hopefully his story will encourage people to be nicer now, rather than wait.
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Met Gav through mates who had met he and Maz as neighbours and had come industry ground Gav. What great guys. It is just one of those incredibly unfair things in life that someone who has so much to offer dips out early. Lets hope Maz has the strength to keep Gus out of the woods going forward. One hell of a strong girl that one. RIP Big Fella. You will be missed.
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@industry Tim’s suggestion that the industry should do something is a good idea. I don’t know the state of their situation but given the expenses they’ve just gone through and those that are still to come for Gus perhaps the industry needs to look at some kind of fund raising. Nina Nearn at RUOk would probably be the person to approach and would probably be able to help the coordination I imagine. Happy to stand by the suggestion and help. Please let me know.
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It was an honour and an absolute privilege working with Gav.
We were also social friends who shared in his words “a unique connection” as God fathers for Liliana Bishop. Even in his final words to me in a text he was thinking of others and her, asking me to “look after her for me by being someone she feels safe coming to for advice because she knows she won’t be judged”.
Gav you know I will, much love and respect, rest in peace mate.
My heartfelt condolences to Maz and his family.
Ruthers
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Having known Gav for 25 years I can only express my deep sadness at his passing. My thoughts are with Maz and the children. RIP mate – you will be sorely missed.
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I worked with Gavin briefly a few years back. As many have commented he was a person of immense integrity and tremendously likable. Last time I saw Gavin was at a surf lifesaving nippers event between Eastern Suburbs clubs. He was there supporting his kids and their club Clovelly. He called me over to say hello and wish my club well in competition – but true to Gavin and his competitive spirit “not too well”. I had been away in the US the past month and was shocked to return and hear of his passing. A truly sad loss and reminder to us all to make every day count. Rest in peace Gavin.
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To the King of Media with the BIG HEART, a True Blue Aussie and one of the most talented people I’ve ever met. Mr Gavin Larkin, Media will never be the same without you.
In memory of the King of Media, lets keep “R U Ok? Day” alive and kicking!
May you rest in peace.
Samar
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