The sudden death of the much-respected former University of Wollongong academic Dr Anthony Ashbolt has shocked and saddened many.
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His good friend and former colleague Arthur Rorris told the Mercury Dr Ashbolt passed away suddenly on Saturday evening at the age of 67.
"It was a great shock to all who knew him and obviously to his wife and life-long partner Shelley and his family," Mr Rorris said.
"He had recently retired from the university and he leaves a big hole in the Wollongong community.
"He is known not just in the academic community at the university and the students that he has taught but also is a familiar voice to the broader community where he has been a commentator for the Illawarra Mercury, ABC and others on political events as they have occurred in our region, nationally and internationally.
"Just as importantly he was not only a commentator, he was an activist.
"He very much practiced what he preached on international issues as well as issues such as politics and the media, concentration of ownership, and the importance of activity in the streets - people power as we call it these days.
"What distinguished Anthony Ashbolt is the passion and conviction that he delivered every day, not just inside the lecture theatre but in every conversation that he had in the community.
"He gave every lecture like a Shakespearean performance and it was a pleasure and an honour to have him as our teacher."
The Mercury plans on writing an obituary on Dr Ashbolt in the coming days.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
