Former AJN photographer dies at 45

DALIA SABLE AND PETER HASKIN

THE AJN’s first staff photographer, Lex Mrocki, died last week following a short illness. He was 45.

Mrocki began working at The AJN in 1988, following the merger of the Sydney Australian Jewish Times and Melbourne’s Australian Jewish News.

He left 12 years later, but continued to provide his photos for publication in the paper up until his death.

Sam Lipski, AJN editor-in-chief when Mrocki was appointed, recalled the photographer as a cheery, courteous and committed colleague who worked above and beyond the call of duty.

“He put his body and soul into the paper. It was something he loved and it showed,” Lispki said. “People wouldn’t start an event if Lex wasn’t there to document it.”

Mrocki was responsible for the creation of the much-loved “Been and Seen” pages.

Friend and fellow photographer Emmanuel Santos, who delivered the eulogy at the funeral service at Melbourne Chevra Kadisha Cemetery in Springvale on October 13, told The AJN that Mrocki played an integral role among the photographic community.

“He recorded so many cherished events in our lives and was always the first to sing our praises with so much pride and joy. In Lex Mrocki’s passing, we have lost a good light, a highly illuminating light.”

Mrocki is survived by his parents, sister and brother.