The highly acclaimed Australian Aboriginal musician Victor Simms has passed away at the age of 78, marking the end of his six-decade career in performing arts and entertainment, as well as his later years dedicated to teaching and business ventures.

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**Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains images of deceased persons, used with the permission of their family.**

Mr. Simms, a Bidjigal Elder, was affectionately known as Uncle Vic or Bunno by many. His family confirmed that Mr. Simms passed away due to natural causes, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Born in 1946 at the La Perouse Mission in southeastern Sydney, Uncle Vic demonstrated extraordinary musical talent from a young age, starting to write songs and perform professionally at the age of 11. In 1957, he performed at the Manly Jazzorama Music Festival, which launched his career as a recording artist. In 1961, at just 15 years old, he released his debut single, "Yo-Yo Heart," followed by his first album, "The Loner," in 1973.

Uncle Vic's roots lay in the Bidjigal lands of New South Wales, and he was also the first Aboriginal man to appear on television in Australia, making him a household name in the Koori community and the broader Australian music scene.

Uncle Vic's son, William, said: "He was a much-loved figure in the South Sydney community... He was a family man, loved entertaining, loved his people. He was a proud Bidjigal man."

Uncle Vic's cousin, Aunty Yvonne Simmons, recalled that he was "a bit of a comedian" with a warm and uplifting aura. She said: "He was a storyteller, a bit of a warrior, and just a great man. He travelled a lot but always came home [to the Aboriginal reserve in New South Wales]. He used to always joke around... I really loved him. He taught me a lot. Most of all, he was a Bidjigal warrior and a Bidjigal Elder. He would help anyone with all his heart."

Uncle Vic's achievements include his debut album, "The Loner," being included in "The 110 Best Australian Albums: The Ultimate List of Australia's Best and Most Influential Music of All Time," and receiving a "Deadly Award" in 2001 for his outstanding contribution to Aboriginal music—one of Australia's largest annual celebrations of Aboriginal music, and being listed on the National Film and Sound Archive. He stated that receiving the award was a "highlight of my career."

Uncle Vic's path to becoming a rock star was not without its challenges. During his tour of Australia as a rising star, he became addicted to alcohol and other negative influences, eventually being imprisoned for robbery at the age of 22.

However, with the courage he demonstrated, not much was actually lost. During his seven years in prison, Uncle Vic harnessed his musical creativity, writing songs, composing music, and recording an album that ultimately earned him a place among Australia's 110 best albums. "The Loner," written entirely within Bathurst jail, is widely regarded as one of the first Aboriginal protest albums.

In his later years, Uncle Vic dedicated much of his time to charity and raising awareness of Aboriginal issues through education. He collaborated with the University of New South Wales for over 15 years on cultural education programs. In 2024, he was awarded an honorary doctorate—the highest award of UNSW Sydney. Uncle Vic said at the time: "To come here and get this award really humbles me. But I've been accepted by this campus, and everything's been going well. I'm nearly 80, but you never stop learning. You never stop believing in culture."

Uncle Vic is survived by his wife, Joan, four children, 15 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren.