Channel Seven star’s heart-breaking Anzac Day message after her brother tragically died serving Australia: ‘Forever 33’

By CAITLIN POWELL FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

Published: 07:52 BST, 25 April 2025 | Updated: 07:54 BST, 25 April 2025

The family of a Special Forces soldier who died in a parachuting accident has joined thousands of Australians commemorating those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. 

Channel Seven reporter Grace Fitzgibbon – with her father Joel, a former Labor minister – took to social media on Anzac Day to pay homage to her brother Lance Corporal Jack Fitzgibbon.

Jack, 33, was performing a ‘routine’ drill in March last year at an RAAF base in Richmond, in Sydney’s northwest, when it is understood his parachute failed to open. 

He suffered critical head injuries and was taken to Westmead Hospital in Sydney’s west, where he died. 

On Thursday evening, Ms Fitzgibbon documented her attendance of Sydney’s Harbour Sunset Tribute, writing on Instagram: ‘Sunset tribute for my brave brother.’

She then shared photos with her father and boyfriend, Az, at North Bondi RSL Club on Anzac Day – the latter was a good friend of Jack’s and one of the pallbearers at his funeral. 

Mr Fitzgibbon also posted on LinkedIn the same day, honouring his son with a caption:  ‘Forever 33. Lest we forget.’

‘Today, tomorrow and forever we will love you and miss you,’ he said.

Former Labor minister Joel Fitzgibbon took to social media on Anzac Day to honour his son Jack (pictured), who died when his parachute failed to deploy during a military training drill

Channel Seven reporter Grace Fitzgibbon (left) shared a photo of her father Joel (centre) and her boyfriend Az (right) at North Bondi RSL Club on Anzac Day

Mr Fitzgibbon made an address at the RSL club honouring those who died in military service

The former Labor minister addressed the hundreds gathered at the RSL club, honouring the ‘Australian soldiers [who] had given their life to our country’.

The family has also set up ’14 for Fitzy’ on social media, a running community brought together to celebrate Jack.

Ms Fitzgibbon previously paid tribute to her brother in a pre-recorded eulogy at a funeral service at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Cessnock in March last year.

Hundreds of people including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Defence Minister Richard Marles, attended Jack’s funeral service.

Soldiers also lined the streets of Cessnock to pay tribute to the Lance Corporal.

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Channel Seven star’s heart-breaking Anzac Day message after her brother tragically died serving Australia: ‘Forever 33’

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