Tuesday, 25 August 2026

 Brad ROWSWELL (Sandringham) (12:59): Brendan James Rowswell, my twin brother, was born on 29 October 1985 at Sandringham Hospital to Leslie and Josephine. He died on Wednesday 22 July at Alfred hospital at the age of 40, having received dignified and expert clinical care. The Alfred nurses are indeed angels dressed in scrubs. Brendan grew up in Beaumaris. He was elected school captain at Stella Maris primary school. He went on to St Bede’s College, where he sharpened his debating skills and fell in love with history and literature.

His Catholic faith, gifted to him by his parents, provided a foundation and framework for Brendan from an early age. He served at the altar, he attended four World Youth Days and in 2015 he was installed as a Knight of the Order of Malta. At the University of Melbourne Brendan studied politics and history, later returning to complete a master of public policy and management. His career was built on relationships and conviction. He was an adviser in the Howard government, then manager of public affairs of the Victorian Farmers Federation before rising to managing partner at CPR Communications & Public Relations, advising organisations like CSL, the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research and Headspace. Through his work with Dementia Australia he helped secure a $230 million federal funding boost for an insidious disease that affected both of our parents. The former CEO of that organisation Maree McCabe noted that Brendan’s work positively impacted the lives of tens of thousands of Australians.

In 2010 he married Sara-Jane Bossard, and they had a son George. His second son Henry was born to Lucille Keen in 2024. Nothing mattered more to Bren than his boys. He became engaged to Georgia Nicholls in December 2025, and together they were forging a new way forward. He is with Dad now, probably sharing a Carlton Draught, catching up on lost time and preparing the way for both Mum and me. May he rest in peace.