We are deeply saddened to announce the sudden passing of our beloved James Edward Rowe (Jim) on Saturday 28 September 2024.
James will be deeply missed by his family, his two beautiful daughters, extended family, friends and past colleagues in academia and social research.
James was very much loved and adored by his daughters, Evie and Polly.
He was deeply treasured and beloved by his parents, Carolyn and Phillip (dec), his sister Anna, his brother Simon and his nephew Zachary.
He was also very much loved by his extended family, Helen, Adrian, Aaron, Anna and Ben.
James completed his PhD in 1999 and was highly respected and admired in his field.
Throughout his career he made significant contributions to health and social research, advocating for change and harm reduction in government policies pertaining to illicit drug use.
James' passing has left a huge hole in our lives.
He will always be fondly remembered for his devotion to his daughters, close family and friends,
his intelligence and sensitivity and his great love for music and literature.
We love you and miss you so much James and will cherish your memory, and our memories of the good times, forever.
May you rest peacefully now.
A private funeral and cremation will be held.
A private funeral will be held.
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James was a beautiful man, a man that I greatly admired and a man that I will greatly miss.
He and I clicked on a long bus trip back to school one hot afternoon, having spent the whole ride talking about the music we loved and how cool it would be to play in a band one day. We spent many a day after school listening to his record player and discovering new music together. And eventually, we did play in a band, Jagged Edge. Later renamed Running Blue, after one of Jim’s favourite songs by The Doors. James, myself, Dave, Steve & John, played together wherever & whenever we could get a gig. Some of them great, some of them terrible, but all, in retrospect, wonderful memories. As we grew as a band, so did Jim as a bass player. And he was exceptional. Not just good, but world-class. He had a fluidity and inventiveness that, when I listen to recordings we did as teenagers, still stuns me to this day.
And I knew that this glorious musical phrasing on the bass guitar came from within someone with a beauty, depth and complexity to them that was far from my understanding. Although the music eventually petered out, our friendship never did and it’s that, that I will hold in my heart forever.
Rest in peace. Love you James.
Dave Larman
For a while Jim was a brother to me, always welcoming, accepting, interested and interesting. We bonded over music and books, and found we had all the important things in life in common. His vulnerability always shone through his sharp intellect so he was a pleasure to be with.
Gerard Gleeson
James,
We had many wonderful times playing music together. You were an awesome band mate. A real talent and someone with much better taste in music than me! Your song Eldorado was one of my favourites. Those band years were some of my fondest memories. Your very poignant message to me when my brother passed was something I won’t forget. You will be sorely missed. RIP Jim.
David Roberts
James contributed so much in his teaching and work on social policy in harm reduction that still has a significant impact today.
James was one of my favorite lecturers when I studied at RMIT and I learned a lot from him. My heart goes out to his family and friends. Vale James and RIP.
Chris Lacey