Veteran Channel Seven broadcaster Rob Brough faces profound heartbreak following the death of his daughter, Jess Willmott, who succumbed to an aggressive brain tumor on Thursday.
The mother of three had received a clean bill of health from breast cancer just one month prior, only for the devastating diagnosis to emerge shortly after.
Family’s Heartfelt Tribute
Jess’s husband, Tammen Willmott, announced the tragic news on a GoFundMe page created to support the family during her illness, where he served as her full-time caregiver.
“Jess was deeply loved—as a wife, a mother, a friend, and an extraordinary human,” Tammen wrote. “The space she leaves behind is immeasurable, and our family is navigating a loss that words cannot fully capture.”
He praised her as “strong, courageous, and truly resilient” and expressed gratitude to the community: “We want to thank every single person who has supported us, prayed for us, donated, and stood beside us throughout this journey. Your kindness has carried us more than you could ever know.”
Brough’s Decision to Prioritize Family
Rob Brough, 71, stepped away from his long-standing on-air role anchoring nightly bulletins for Channel Seven in regional Queensland—covering areas like the Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay, and Mackay—in late 2024. The move allowed him to focus on Jess and her young family.
In a September 2025 interview on ABC Sunshine Coast radio, Brough shared: “About four years ago our daughter Jess was diagnosed with breast cancer. That was pretty confronting.”
“We got to a tough stage where things weren’t working and not a lot of options were available,” he added. “It was just an easy choice for me to leave work and spend as much time as I could around her and her family.”
Devoted Grandfather Role
Brough now dedicates his time to helping raise Jess’s three children—Indigo, Milla, and Madden—on the Sunshine Coast. “That’s a beautiful thing because bringing up your children and then being a part of your grandchildren’s upbringing is as good as it gets,” he stated.
Past Family Tragedy
This loss echoes a previous heartbreak for Brough, whose three-year-old son, Sam, died suddenly nearly three decades ago.
Continued Coverage During Absence
During Brough’s leave, Nathan Spurling and Joanne Desmond have filled in for Channel Seven’s regional bulletins, including those from Cairns.
Brough launched his career in radio during the 1970s, later transitioning to television positions with ABC and Channel Nine, becoming a familiar face on Australian screens.
