Today at Expression Australia, we pause to honour and remember Marc Ethan.
Marc was an esteemed Auslan and NZSL interpreter, with a career spanning nearly 30 years across Australia and Aotearoa. He began his interpreting journey in Aotearoa as a NZSL interpreter before moving to Australia, where he continued to build an extraordinary legacy in the interpreting field.
His first interpreting job with our organisation was on 25 January 2006, when we were known as Vicdeaf. From that day forward, he became an integral part of our interpreting community. For more than two decades, he contributed his expertise, leadership, and unwavering commitment to excellence in interpreting.
Marc was passionate about many sectors of interpreting, but he held particular commitment to First Nations communities. As a proud Māori man, he understood the importance of authentic representation for Deaf First Nations community members, and he advocated strongly for cultural respect, equity, and excellence in the interpreting field.
He also worked tirelessly alongside the LGBTQIA+ community, providing access and inclusion at festivals, celebrations, conferences, and community outreach initiatives. His presence created safety, visibility, and connection.
Marc championed inclusion, allyship, and mentorship. He was generous with his time, always willing to give his expert knowledge, and he uplifted emerging interpreters with quiet strength and guidance.
He loved musical theatre, live music, and the arts, and he brought the same vibrancy and passion into his interpreting work.
For Marc, the Deaf community was everything.
For him, providing excellence in interpreting was not optional; it was the minimum he strived for. He believed deeply in access, dignity, and the power of language.
Marc was always making sure everyone else was okay – that was who he was: caring, steady, and always thinking of others.
His impact lives on in the many lives he touched – in the interpreters he mentored, the communities he stood beside, and the countless moments of access he made possible.
We extend our deepest condolences and aroha to Marc’s whanau, friends, colleagues, and the many communities who are grieving this profound loss.
Details about Marc’s celebration of life will be shared once we have been advised.
Marc, thank you for your service, your energy, your generosity, and your unwavering commitment to our community.