Olympic rower and pianist Septimus Kelly remembered 110 years after death
Septimus Kelly, Olympic gold medallist and composer, will be rediscovered through a memorial tour launching Saturday.
Septimus Kelly was born in Sydney in 1881. A gold-medal rower at the 1908 London Olympics, he was also a pianist of great talent.
On 4 May 1916, he was on leave from Gallipoli. He delivered corrected proofs of his piano compositions to his London publisher.
Six months later, on 13 November, he was killed in the Battle of the Somme, aged 35. His music remained largely unknown until now.
The Flowers of Peace is launching a memorial tour. It begins at the Wesley Music Centre in Forrest, Canberra.
The date is Saturday, 14 November. The day starts with the launch of his biography by Dr Therese Radic and Martin Cross.
It continues with a screening of the documentary Elegy. This explores Kelly's most famous work about his friend, poet Rupert Brooke.
The tour closes with live performances of Kelly's piano works by Edward and Stephanie Neeman.
- Gold medal, 1908 London
- Olympic achievement
- Somme, 13 November 1916, aged 35
- Death in war
- Wesley Music Center, Forrest, Canberra
- Tour location
- 110 years after death
- Years until recovery
Why it mattersKelly's story shows how Australia lost a major artistic voice to war. Cultural recovery can restore it to memory.
AustraliaThis memorial recognises an Australian composer whose talent and sacrifice have been overshadowed for a century, helping build cultural confidence in Australia's own artistic heritage.
