Vale Simon Hirst – inspirational teacher, loyal friend, theatre legend, cat lover and bon vivant
(Top photo, January 1987, Salamanca Place, Hobart, bottom photo, November 2025, Delamere Vineyard, Tasmania)
Simon James Hugill Hirst was an influencer decades before it became an occupation or a label attached to anyone with more than 10,000 followers on Instagram.
But Simon didn’t influence for money or status.
Simon’s 80 years and 109 days on this planet, which I will barely scratch the surface of today, influenced those in his orbit to discover themselves, believe in themselves, stretch themselves, and, to do things worth doing, with, and in the service of, others.
Simon was born on the 16th of November 1945, the third child and only son of Sheelah and James Hirst.
He was somewhat of an afterthought as his father was 47 and his mother 39 when Simon arrived in this world just three months and one day after the end of the second world war.
Both of his sisters, Patricia (known as Teesh) and Antonia (known as Toni) were already teenagers, so Simon was raised somewhat as an only child.
Simon’s father served in the Australian army in both world wars, including fighting in France in 1917 and 1918. Teesh also served in WW2 as a teenage member of the Women’s Auxiliary Airforce between 1944 and 1946.
Simon attended Hobart High School between 1957 and 1961 passing English Lit, Modern History, Ancient History and Geography to obtain his matriculation.
Simon’s 1959 school report, written just after he had turned 14, noted, “He is capable of better results. His result in mathematics did not improve namely due to idleness on his part. A more organised effort to master his subjects is necessary and he must learn to concentrate all the time in class and not to daydream.”
Although it was noted that, “Simon’s behaviour in class is most satisfactory.”
Simon clearly lifted his game as his leaving reference, dated 19 December 1961, noted Simon’s, ”fine qualities of leadership being class captain in 1959 and 1960 and Form Council Representative in 1960 and 1961.”
Headmaster C Dwight Brown concluded the reference with this entertaining assessment of Simon’s character.
“Simon is truthful, trustworthy and reliable. Sophisticated, bland and poised, he has developed a mature personality. He is affable and sincere. He has worked industriously and has done much extra-curricular reading. He has a histrionic nature which was well illustrated by his performance in the school opera. He distinguishes himself in class discussions and is an accomplished debater.
Those six sentences proved to be mostly accurate as a pointer to Simon’s work life and extra-curricular activities in the subsequent 64 years.
Simon attended the University of Tasmania between 1963 and 1966, under a teaching scholarship with the Department of Education.
Close friend, and fellow Old Nick life member, Phyllis Mockunas (photo, left, with Simon) told me Simon was particularly fascinated with Ancient History, including the Greek and Persian empires.
Simon was awarded his Bachelor of Arts in March 1967.
Life at the University of Tasmania, was shaped by Simon’s deep engagement with the Old Nick Company, then only in its 16th year as the on-campus theatre society. More of which, shortly.
Simon was conscripted for national service in the second ballot of 1969 and served two years until the end of 1971, predominantly at the Woodside barracks in South Australia.
He was assessed as unfit for overseas service due to flat feet and was assigned to administrative duties, which also included running the bar in the officers’ mess.
On the occasions Simon talked about his time in the army, he spoke warmly and positively about his experience. He enjoyed the work, being fit and the camaraderie of his fellow soldiers.
After his return from national service the rest of Simon’s life in Hobart was shaped by teaching and theatre.
Simon was only 17 when he appeared in his first uni revue, SIN-TIL-EIGHT, in 1963, directed by Marcus Cooney.
He featured in 14 subsequent revues, directing 1981’s The Shocking Hydro Show, 1987’s Cane Toad Dundee and Ali Groom and the 40% Thieves in 1994.
Simon’s curry parties during revue season were famous and always a highlight of the revue social calendar.
Simon was just as active in other genres for Old Nick.
He directed the pantomime, Aladdin, in 1973, a musical comedy, Salad Days in 1975, and the dramas Savages (1985) and Equus (1986) and many other productions including Christie in Love in both 1984 and 1987, a show he was particularly proud of.
Simon was the driving force behind many Old Nick productions at the Festival of Australian Student Theatre, held at a different campus around the country each year. Simon participated in 12 F.A.S.T.s, directing eight productions.
Simon was also passionate about taking theatre to regional Tasmania.
The Deloraine Drama Festival hosted many Old Nick productions in the 1980s, almost all directed by Simon. Simon’s shows regularly won Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Production awards at the festival.
I and others here today, were part of Simon’s touring pub show, RAVE, that played in licensed venues around Tasmania, entertaining audiences with The Roy Murphy Show (pictured, right, 1984), old revue skits and assorted other comedic material.
Shows in Swansea, Scottsdale, St Marys and Port Arthur are just four that I remember.
Simon’s three-decade contribution to Old Nick wasn’t just directing and on stage, he was almost always playing some role during a production, whether in an official or unofficial capacity. He also served on the Old Nick committee at different times and was one of the organisers of Old Nick’s 40th anniversary dinner in 1988.
Simon is one of 64 life members of The Old Nick Company, of which only two, Pat Harrison and Graeme Paine are Gold Life members. If there is ever to be a third such life member then surely Simon would be that person.
Simon’s excellent record collection provided the beat to many post-show social gatherings at the various locations where he lived in Hobart (Collins St, Davey Street, Randall Street, Runnemede St/Arthurs Circus and Goulburn Street, among others).
Like many Old Nick alumni from the 1970s, 80s and 90s, I met Simon at Rosny College.
There were auditions one lunchtime early in 1982 for the Rosny Performing Club.
I auditioned, was accepted, and so began my 44-year friendship with Simon.
Simon directed the RPC’s major production each year and that year it was The Royal Hunt of the Sun.
In RPC’s previous nine years, productions had included Savages, The Boyfriend, and The Hostage. With productions travelling to Canberra and Sydney.
Simon’s commitment to the Rosny Performing Club provided a springboard for the amateur, and not infrequent professional careers of many young performers and back stage crew, who were fortunate to be students at Rosny College between 1973 and 1994.
Simon was one of the cultural foundations of Rosny College for two decades.
The college had only been open for one year when Simon joined in 1973, moving from Clarence High School.
Teaching drama then English, Simon was a talented and highly respected teacher.
Teenage kids like me from safe but rather boring and colourless surrounding suburbs, like Bellerive, Lindisfarne, Howrah, Tranmere and Lauderdale were fortunate to be introduced to Life According to Simon, while at Rosny College.
Simon had high standards, and didn’t tolerate slackers but he made learning stimulating and fun
He skillfully managed that delicate balance between being the adult in charge and connecting with his students through his skilful and engaging teaching style.
Simon’s passion for theatre and for developing young actors was infectious.
Myself, and others present today, either in person or online, represent a tiny subset of young Tasmanians who were inspired to engage with theatrical life because of Simon.
As a director, Simon ensured we worked together purposefully to produce something good, mostly really good, and occasionally outstanding.
Simon challenged us to commit to the show wholeheartedly. To stretch ourselves.
The satisfaction of the whole company: on stage, backstage, and front of house, collaborating night after night was affirming and addictive.
In doing so, we discovered the thrill of the audience’s rapt attention, laughter, and applause.
The vibrancy of Tasmania’s theatre culture, especially in Hobart, owes a lot to Simon.
Here’s just six memories, among tens and tens of comments, that were written on the Old Nick FB post, that announced Simon’s passing last month.
Leiz Moore
Being gay, Simon would be my mum’s date to Old Nick and other balls that seem to have been regularly held back then – she being a single, ‘never-married’ mother to me (oh the shame and outrage in the era) which meant they both could carry a veil of ‘societal respectability’)! So challenging to have been a single woman or gay in the 60s – systemic discrimination and rife prejudice!
I spent many nights as a child sitting under dinner tables or at ON gatherings playing listening to Simon, my mum and others talking politics, uni, theatre, literature, the arts in general, relationships, etc – long, loud and entertaining evenings where I learnt so much about the world and people! I remember his waist coats and scarves that he would theatrically swoosh over his shoulder!
Jonathan Andrew
I remember Simon from my days at Rosny College. I did the musical Aladdin with him as director. We took it on tour to Swansea and it was always a blast. His parties in the little house in Davy Street were legendary. Then there was the Deloraine eisteddfod… my god am amazed we didn’t get thrown out of the old hotel there.
Old Nick lifer, Craig Wellington
Simon was an English teacher at Rosny College when I was there in the mid 80s but pivotally he ran the Rosny Performing Club. An outfit dependent on the formula: do-one-revue-a-year-using-scripts-from-previous-Uni-Revues-and-Hospital-Revues.
He acquiesced to the enthusiasm of my cohort and let us write our own material. Three terms. Three Revues. 75% material that was original. He scoffed at our proposal on day one, but by day two knew what he had in his hands and let us run riot.
He rang me out of the blue in the summer of 1987 and said would you come and read some of your original scripts to the cast of this Uni Revue thing which I am directing? I entered the upper refectory quite nervous and read some material out loud. John Colegrave put his hand up and said “Simon Craig should be in the show.” Simon asked “Would I?” Given that it was the only way a writer could have his material performed properly in front of an actual audience in Hobart in 1987 I said yes.
Thank you Simon. Thank you for opening the door 40 years ago. Everything turned out okay for me – Simon, you did that.
Catherine Baker
Vale Simon. Fond memories of him from Rosny College. Managed to take a group of students, most who couldn’t sing and put on a performance of The Boyfriend.
Old Nick Lifer Richard Snare
Simon’s name seemed always to come up whenever Old Nickers would get together.
Sometimes about the shows, sometimes about the parties, sometimes about the rather infamous curry nights but always about something outrageous Simon had done.
Famous Old Nick life member, Roger Hodgman, former head of the Victoria College of Arts, second only to NIDA as a training ground for Australia’s most well-known on-stage and back-stage theatrical talent, even made a rare sojourn onto Facebook to note that Simon’s passing was ‘very sad news’.
Simon’s more than two decades of outstanding contribution to the Rosy College community came to an abrupt end in 1994, when the new superintendent wanted long-term teachers out to make room for new blood.
In theory, understandable, but when Simon and other stalwarts who had been the heart and soul of what made the college such an outstanding institution in infusing students with more than academic knowledge, departed, it was a sad closure to a wonderful era.
Having inherited the family home at 47 Richard Street after his sister Teesh’s passing in 1989, Simon moved to Bridport in 1995 and began teaching English at Winnaleah District High.
He lasted a month.
The students’ lack of engagement with what Simon was passionate about, combined with nearly two hours of commuting each day, made quitting an easy decision.
Having retired from teaching, Simon’s skills and energy were directed full time to community activities and he was almost as busy in retirement in Bridport as he’d been working full time in Hobart.
For many years, Simon continued to call the St Mary’s trots on New Year’s Day.
He was a frequent presence at the Deloraine Drama Festival as the adjudicator.
He hosted Ingrid and her visiting band of players when they visited Delamere Vineyard annually for Shakespeare in the Gardens.
In the early 2000s he was running the kitchen here at the club.
Simon’s volunteer service as a committee member, included at Seaview Village Retirement Homes, the Bridport Football Club, Bridport 2000, and, especially, the Bridport Ex-services, Bowls and Community club, including being MC at the Anzac Day dawn service. Simon was awarded life membership in 2010. More of which you will hear about from Mike shortly.
Simon’s weekly Tuesday shift at the Bridport Information Centre, when he was not helping others, was spent surfing YouTube for the music that he loved. He often sent me links to these performances with a sentence or two about the song or artist.
Like anybody of his era, it would be completely understandable if Simon had spent his later years re-immersing himself in the brilliant music of the 1960s, which he loved, especially female artists like Dusty Springfield, Barbara Lewis, Mary Wells, the Marvelettes, the Ronettes, the Crystals and the Supremes.
However, that wasn’t what Simon did.
Simon went deep into YouTube to discover new artists who took their inspiration from old soul.
Here’s what emailed to me on the 23rd of December 2019: When people say they don’t make music like they used to, just say they do, Ross! You’ve just got to find it. I’ve discovered an absolute treasure trove of artists recreating the sounds of the late 60’s and early seventies.
We exchanged many emails about his discoveries
Modern artists that Simon enthused about, and introduced me to, included Durand Jones and the Indications, Mayer Hawthorne, Bobby Oroza, Jonny Benavidez, Nicole Willis and The Soul Investigators, and Thee Lakesiders.
Tibet’s independence was a cause Simon became very passionate about in retirement and that passion extended to modern Tibetan music, especially Tsenchen Ghon, Dorjee Gyalpo and rapper Gyaltsen.
Kazakh singer, Dimash was another favourite YouTube discovery of Simon’s.
How can there be any conversation about Simon’s life without talking about his many, many cats?
About 15 years ago, after a visiting Simon with my children, my eldest son asked me, “Dad, how many cats does Simon own?” I found it a difficult question to answer.
Simon didn’t own cats.
Cats owned Simon.
Simon acquired cats.
Pecky, Dusty, Socks and Mitsy were just some of Simons dearly loved feline companions.
He couldn’t turn a stray away.
Clearly the homeless cats of Bridport talked among themselves because in more recent years, whenever I came to visit, Simon seemed to be feeding a cricket team of cats.
Simon also loved racing. In fact, he had a part-time job calling the races in the 1970s.
He attended the weekly races in Hobart, alternating between trots and gallops, with his close circle of racing buddies, including Milton Petit and Chris Smith, until he moved to Bridport.
Simon loved good food and wine.
A full attendance was always assured at any of Simon’s many dinner parties because of his cooking.
His culinary skills were such that he ran the bistro at Shippies in Hobart for a period in his younger days.
Simon’s patronage was appreciated by many Hobart restaurateurs. I am sure Cooney’s continued existence as a fine dining venue in Macquarie Street, was prolonged due to Simon’s loyalty in the 1980s. The Tea House in South Hobart and La Tarantella in Sandy Bay were other Hirst favourites.
An annual dinner party celebrating the 12th night of Christmas, was a cherished event for those lucky enough to be extended an invitation. Held on the 5th of January these were memorable to the degree that Simon hosted a nearly fully-attended 20th anniversary reunion in 2008.
As for drinking, well Simon was definitely a red wine man. A more full-bodied variety like Shiraz was his go-to.
Simon quaffing an occasional beer or Cooney’s Quencher (Campari, orange juice and soda) was as far as Simon strayed from a good red.
Simon’s love of red wine combined with his unfamiliarity with exercise was a combination that meant living beyond the biblical three score years and ten was probably long odds at the time of his retirement.
The acceptance, appreciation and friendship of the Bridport community over three decades ensured that Simon’s lifespan defied what medical science suggested was likely.
What you saw was what you got with Simon.
He was overwhelmingly happy, positive, caring, industrious and creative.
He focused on others, not himself.
If he wasn’t in a good mood, which was infrequent, you knew about it.
On the flight over I was searching for a simple expression of how I, and many others close to Simon felt and feel about him.
He was loved, of that there is no doubt.
Of those that were more temporarily in Simon’s world, as a student or actor or community colleague, I have no doubt respect was what Simon engendered.
As a gay man in 1960s and 1970s Hobart, it would have been understandable for Simon to play safe, after all, sex between consenting adult men remained a crime in this state until the first of May 1997.
Simon never played safe
Simon lived his life authentically. With courage.
Always being true to himself.
His friends loved him for it.
His students respected him for it.
If there were gay slurs uttered by students, I never heard them or heard about them.
Simon’s stature at Rosny College and the respect he had earned among staff and students ensured there was plenty of loyalty available should Simon have ever needed it.
Together with long-time friends Gina and John, I helped Simon celebrate his 80th birthday at the St Marks gin bar the last November.
After I had flown back to Melbourne, Simon and I exchanged a few text messages, including me signing off with, “It was great to be with you to celebrate your eight decades. Your influence on my life has been profound. Your belief and trust in me has been a key foundation of my life’s, many successes and joys. Your life has mattered enormously to many, many people (and cats!). I’m deeply grateful for your friendship and love over these past four-and-a-half decades. I hope we still have quite a few more meals to share yet.”
Unfortunately, we didn’t.
That Sunday morning breakfast at the Bridport Cafe, with John and Gina, on the day Simon turned 80 was our last meal, of hundreds, together and the last time we spoke (photo, below).
It was fitting that Simon passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his cats.
It’s hard to imagine Simon adapting to life in an aged care facility.
Farewell my dear friend.
Your life made my life so much richer, colourful and joyful than it would have been otherwise.
Rest in peace, Simon James Hugill Hirst, your work is done here.
This eulogy was delivered by Ross Clennett at the funeral service of Simon Hirst, 7 April 2026 at the Bridport Ex-services, Bowls and Community club, Tasmania
