Former television presenter Fiona MacDonald has died aged 67, three years after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
MacDonald was well-loved by Australians, best known as the host of the 1980s children’s television show Wombat and the game show It’s a Knockout.
MacDonald announced her passing on social media in a pre-written message posted to her account by her sister, Kylie.
“Farewell my friends. My sister Kylie is posting this because I have left the building – Hopefully I’m looking down from a cloud. Last night brought an end to a very tough few months. Was very peaceful the boys and Kylie stayed with me to say goodbye. While I’ve never wanted to die, the thought of leaving my tortured body was a relief,” MacDonald wrote.
“The last few months have been tough. Unable to swallow normal food, the tube feeding that should have sustained me didn’t work because my gut couldn’t tolerate any of the multiple brands of protein drinks. It went straight in and straight out.”
MacDonald was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in November 2021. In 2023, she and her sister drove around Australia raising money to support research into the disease. They featured in an episode of the ABC’s Australian Story.
Currently, there is no cure for motor neurone disease.
In her Instagram post, MacDonald shared that the black humour that had typically served her well in the first years of her diagnosis had turned to despair.
“I made the decision after much soul searching to cease all medical supports and finally go into hospital for end of life palliative care. When you love life as much as I do, it takes a great deal of courage to make choices that lead to farewell,” she wrote.
“So let’s not call it goodbye as I hope to see you again on the other side. Until then: “May the wind be always at your back, May the sun shine warm upon your face, May the rain fall softly upon your fields until we meet again, And may God hold you in the hollow of His hand,” she wrote.
“I carry your love and laughter with me and hope you’ll remember mine.”
Feature image: Fiona MacDonald/Instagram.