Helen Reddy in 1986.<i>I Am Woman</i>reached No. 1 at the end of 1972 and earned her the Grammy Award for best female pop vocal performance,the first time an Australian-born artist had won.

Helen Reddy in 1986.I Am Woman reached No. 1 at the end of 1972 and earned her the Grammy Award for best female pop vocal performance,the first time an Australian-born artist had won.Credit:Getty

Two women from very different spheres who died in 2020 can be classified in the same category,that of ground-breakers. Susan Ryan (77) was the first woman to serve in a Labor federal cabinet and she later became the first age discrimination commissioner. Former prime minister Julia Gillard described her as a"feminist hero and Labor giant".

Susan Ryan in 2011,during her five years as age discrimination commissioner.

Susan Ryan in 2011,during her five years as age discrimination commissioner.Credit:Ben Rushton

No less a feminist hero was Melbourne-born singer,songwriter,author,actress and activist Helen Reddy (78). She wrote the lyrics forI Am Woman,which unexpectedly became an anthem of the feminist movement and was a clear call for social action.

Doug Anthony (90),who died in December,was regarded as the last giant of the Country and National parties and one of the country's last remaining links to the Menzies government. He was the nation's longest-served deputy prime minister and a key player in the constitutional crisis of 1975.

Former NSW Liberal premier and federal government finance minister John Fahey (75) died in September. He played a crucial role in Sydney's bid to host the 2000 Olympics during his time as state premier between 1992 and 1995.

December saw the loss of Ian Armstrong (83),who was NSW deputy premier from May 1993 until April 1995 and remained leader of the National Party until 1999. He also served as minister for agriculture and rural affairs whose life was"dedicated to serving and representing regional people".

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The same month saw the death of Major-General Michael Jeffery (83),former governor-general and governor of Western Australia. He was described by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as a remarkable man and one of Australia's finest leaders.

Michael Jeffery greets the Queen in Canberra in 2006.

Michael Jeffery greets the Queen in Canberra in 2006.Credit:Getty

Giving us the inside story on politics was reporter-turned-news producer Gerald Stone (87),who brought 60 Minutes to our screens."He let nothing get in his way,not even Kerry Packer,"Ray Martin said at his funeral at the original Nine studio in Willoughby where it all began.

Another newsman was Paul Murphy (77),host of the ABC's PM and SBS's Dateline, whose funeral was attended by Paul Keating. The former prime minister said:"Where he would trip you up was to let you trip yourself up. He was a great servant of the public interest of Australia."

Alan Ramsey (82),journalist and columnist for theHerald,joins the list of political commentators who died in 2020. Ramsey had a 56-year career in journalism and wrote a weekend column for theHerald between 1987 and 2008. One former colleague said''he used words like lasers,never missing a target. At his best,he was the most feared political journalist in the country."

Also writing about politics was Mungo MacCallum (78),a journalist and commentator described as"a razor-sharp mind till the end and a sparkling wit".

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The world of sport lost Don Talbot (87),the Australian Olympic Hall of Fame swimming coach;Dick Tooth (90),a former Wallabies captain,all-round sportsman and pioneering orthopaedic surgeon.

Former Australian cricketer Dean Jones (59) died of a stroke in Mumbai in September prompting tributes from shocked past and present cricket greats. Jones played 52 Tests and scored 3631 runs,including 11 centuries. But he will arguably be best remembered for his one-day international exploits,where he scored 6063 runs,including seven centuries and 46 fifties,in 164 matches.

In November''the world's best footballer''Diego Maradona died at the age of 60 while the world mourned the loss in January of Los Angeles Lakers basketballer Kobe Bryant (41) who died in a helicopter crash that claimed nine lives,including that of his 13-year-old daughter Gianna.

The international big and small screens lost many,including some who could only be described as legends. At the age of 104 and a star of Hollywood's golden age,Olivia de Havilland was best known for her role as Melanie inGone with the Wind.From the same era was Kirk Douglas,who died aged 103. His rugged good looks made him a commanding presence inLust for LifeandSpartacus.

Olivia de Havilland,who played the doomed Southern belle Melanie in<i>Gone With the Wind</i>,pictured in 2004.

Olivia de Havilland,who played the doomed Southern belle Melanie inGone With the Wind,pictured in 2004.Credit:AP

Sean Connery (90) was considered by many to be the best James Bond. Playing opposite him in Goldfinger was Honor Blackman (94),who was also the first woman inThe Avengers. Another Bond girl was Diana Rigg (82),who also played Emma Peel inThe Avengers. Michael Parkinson,who interviewed her in 1972,said she"radiated a lustrous beauty".

The world of comedy lost Tim Brooke-Taylor (79) fromThe Goodies,whose death was due to COVID-19,as well asMonty Python co-founder Terry Jones (77). Australian comedienne and television personality Jeanne Little (82) and stage actress and four-time Tony Award winner Zoe Caldwell (86) also died this year.

English actress Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in the television series<i>The Avengers</i>.

English actress Diana Rigg as Emma Peel in the television seriesThe Avengers.Credit:Getty

Other household names who departed include chef and restaurateur Tony Bilson (76),TV culinary pioneer Geraldine Dillon (84) and English-Australian actor Hugh Keays-Byrne (73),who starred inMad Max.

In the United States,Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (87),the demure firebrand who in her 80s became a legal,cultural and feminist icon,died in September. Architect of the legal fight for women's rights in the 1970s,Ginsburg subsequently served 27 years on the US Supreme Court,becoming its most prominent member. She was described as a''tireless and resolute champion of justice''.

Other international stars included the"Forces Sweetheart"singer Vera Lynn,rocker Little Richard and country music's Kenny Rogers.

Inevitably for space reasons there will be those we have missed but none who died this year are forgotten.

Tim Barlass is theHerald's obituary editor.

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