Stephen McDonell
LightNews LightNews
banner
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Stephen McDonell
@stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
7.7K followers 170 following 1.2K posts
BBC China Correspondent based in Beijing. Previously ABC Australia China Correspondent.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Stephen McDonell
citizenfra.bsky.social
No. God, Rob was my intelligence hot rock star crush. Loved the band, swooned over the drummer. What a loss; too young.
January 20, 2026 at 8:29 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Great interview with Rob Hirst here talking about Radio Birman, James Baldwin, ACDC, Stand In Line, Only the Strong, Zeppelin, life late 70s/early 80s, heavy scene of Aussie pubs in early years, musical adaptation, politics and music etc etc... RIP Rob. #Australia

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWdq...
Rob Hirst | Long Play Series
YouTube video by Australian Music Vault
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:14 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
I mean have a look at him in this track, belting it out on the kit and also singing backing vocals... incredible!
But man the power of those drums!
RIP Rob Hirst.
Sad day for #Australia...

CIick on link to watch and turn up up high!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RaM...
Midnight Oil - Best Of Both Worlds (triple j Live At The Wireless - Goat Island 1985)
YouTube video by ABC Music
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:20 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Yeah he was bloody awesome!
January 20, 2026 at 7:17 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
The "Oils on the Water" gig on Goat Island in #Sydney Harbour has great footage of Rob really letting rip on the drums. Damn he was good!
RIP Rob Hirst..
A sad day for #Australia...

Click to watch and crank it up!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l25...
Midnight Oil - Stand In Line (triple j Live At The Wireless - Goat Island 1985)
YouTube video by ABC Music
www.youtube.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:02 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonell
robbieb.bsky.social
Yep. Pancreatic cancer can fuck right off!!
January 20, 2026 at 6:33 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Ahhh! Damn!
That is really sad news.
January 20, 2026 at 6:32 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
It's a tough burden but someone has to take it on. ;-)
January 20, 2026 at 6:21 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Well that’s good.
January 20, 2026 at 6:00 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Sometimes the shiny tiles in #China can be a really slippery though.
January 20, 2026 at 5:16 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Ha ha! Will do!
January 20, 2026 at 4:26 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Doesn't seem to be available on Kindle?
January 20, 2026 at 4:12 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
I'm guessing that's a silly question? ;-)
January 20, 2026 at 4:09 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
You got a copy of it?
January 20, 2026 at 4:06 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
I love the Nicholas Cage shrine.
January 20, 2026 at 3:38 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
You clearly weren't trying hard enough. ;-)
January 19, 2026 at 9:31 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
BTW it's all happening in Mount Gambier... #Straya #Australia

www.abc.net.au/news/2025-12...
Woman accused of googly eyes vandalism to begin negotiations with prosecution
A 20-year-old Mount Gambier woman appears in court in person for the first time, accused of damaging a controversial sculpture, following a campaign to raise money online for her defence.
www.abc.net.au
January 19, 2026 at 9:13 AM
Reposted by Stephen McDonell
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Snowy cold #Beijing last night. Currently minus -7, predicting 8am tomorrow morning to be minus -14. #China
January 18, 2026 at 10:49 AM
stephenmcdonell.bsky.social
Ha ha!
January 18, 2026 at 12:24 PM
Reposted by Stephen McDonell
jdmayger.bsky.social
加油 (literally)
January 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM