Gold Coast, Australia – Jackson “Jacko” Graham, a rising star in both Australian rules football and surfing whose adventurous spirit left a lasting impression across the globe. died at 22.
Graham died on Wednesday, prompting an outpouring of grief from Palm Beach to overseas surf communities in Japan and Italy. Born on June 6, 2003, he grew up deeply embedded in the region’s surf and footy culture, balancing fierce athletic ambition with a warm, inclusive personality.
As a proud member of the Palm Beach Currumbin Australian Football Club, Graham was known for his work ethic, determination, and natural leadership. Teammates say he inspired younger players not only with his on-field skill, but also with his humility and generosity. “Jacko was the kind of bloke who made everyone feel like they belonged,” one former teammate shared.
Surfing was more than a sport for Graham—it was a way of life. His final Instagram post, taken in March during swells generated by ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, showed him charging through the centre of a perfect barrel. Friends say that image perfectly summed up his fearless approach to both the ocean and life itself.
Tributes have poured in on social media from fellow surfers, footballers, coaches, and friends. The Palm Beach Currumbin AFL Club released a statement remembering Graham as “a treasured part of our football family, a natural leader, and a young man who brought energy and light to everyone he met.”
While the cause of his death has not been publicly confirmed, community efforts to honour his memory are already taking shape. Plans include memorial surf sessions, club tributes, and a proposed youth sports scholarship in his name to support aspiring athletes.
On the Gold Coast—a region where community identity is tied closely to sport and the ocean—Graham’s loss is deeply felt. His story is a reminder of the powerful bonds forged through shared passions, and of the enduring impact one young life can have on a global network of friends and fellow competitors.
