Brian (front and centre) with other members of the Spartans Basketball Club. Photo: Spartans Basketball Club.
It’s hard to imagine anybody devoting close to 40 years of their life to community sport as a volunteer coach, mentor, and committee member.
Brian Demmery did.
Over 37 years in Canberra, Brian spent countless hours building clubs, delivering programs and contributing across multiple clubs, as well as junior and senior representative teams.
One of Canberra’s largest junior clubs, the Southern Valley Spartans, benefited enormously from Brian’s passion for the sport.
He was a driver behind the rebrand from Tuggeranong Southern Cross to the Spartans in 2025, including the black and pink uniforms.
Culture and community were central to Brian’s basketball philosophy.
Earlier this month, the Spartans honoured Brian as the inaugural life member in recognition of his remarkable service.
In a tribute post on their website following his passing this week, the Spartans said, “Your vision became our identity; your legacy will live on in Spartans.”
Brian Demmery was recently awarded Life Membership of the Spartan Basketball Club. Photo: Spartan Basketball Club FB.
There were also tributes from ACT Basketball and Marist College, where Brian coached the senior team from 1994 to 1997.
There were also plenty of messages on social media from people he had contact with over the past 37 years in basketball at all levels in the ACT.
Some posted memories of Brian’s unique style as he paced the court with a swagger, smile and growl, all wrapped into one.
Dr Karen Demmery stood by her husband through the highs and lows. She describes Brian as “a great husband, an amazing father, a brother, a mate, a proud Wiradjuri man”. And she was there by his side to the very end.
Dr Karen Demmery with Brian. Photo: Karen Demmery FB.
Brian struggled with numerous health issues over the years, including kidney failure, heart attack, Parkinson’s, a stroke and infections. He had years of dialysis, a triple bypass and a kidney transplant.
As Karen says of Brian: “Strong. Proud. Loyal. Funny. Stubborn as hell. Quiet and loud. He knew who he was, he knew what mattered to him, and he loved his family fiercely.”
Brian Demmery passed away peacefully at the age of 60, surrounded by his family.
He was a force of nature who will be missed by many in the Canberra community whom he positively influenced.
