Tributes for pedestrian killed in Yungaburra car accident, Gordon Grivas aka ‘Yotsie’

A pedestrian tragically killed when he was struck by a vehicle which veered off the road in a small Tablelands town on Thursday is being remembered for his mentorship and dedication to his community and the sport of outrigger canoeing.

A pedestrian tragically killed when he was struck by a vehicle which veered off the road in a small Tablelands town on Thursday is being remembered for his mentorship and dedication to his community and the sport of outrigger canoeing.

Gordon Grivas, 76, known to friends as Gordo or Yotsie, died on Thursday after he was struck by an MG sedan that left the road in the Tablelands town of Yungaburra.

Mr Grivas is being remembered as a mentor, “quick with a smile and happy to lend a hand”, and a committed sportsman by his friends and fellow paddlers.

Gordon Grivas, 76, was tragically killed when he was struck by a vehicle that left the road in Yungaburra in Far North Queensland. Photo: Facebook

Mr Grivas moved to the small Tablelands town during his retirement, where he was a major part of the Dam Outrigger Canoe Club and helped to grow the sport, working with the club’s junior program to share the joy of the water with the next generation.

Mr Grivas is being remembered as a mentor, "quick with a smile and happy to lend a hand, ” and a committed sportsman by his friends and fellow paddlers. Photo: Facebook

Fellow club member Terry Barnes said the world will be poorer for the loss of such a generous person.

“Gordo had a vision for our paddling juniors that was just starting to gain momentum,” he said.

“So sad for them, our club and the wider community where he has been hugely influential.”

Paddlers from across the country will wear black armbands in memory of Gordon with members of clubs in the Far North taking part in a traditional paddle out ceremony to farewell their friend at sunrise on Saturday morning.

Gordo with Dam Outrigger Canoe Club teammates at a regatta at Etty Bay. Photo: Facebook

The canoe club also paid tribute to Mr Grivas on social media.

“The Dam Outrigger Canoe Club has lost a mentor, committed sportsman and an all around great bloke and gentleman in Gordon Grivas, whose input to the sport of paddling along the coast has been outstanding,” the canoe club said.

In sad circumstances before the accident, Mr Grivas took to a Yungaburra community page to call out a separate unsafe stretch of road in his community that had caused an accident, calling it a fatality waiting to happen.

Mr Grivas leaves a long list of achievements including playing a part in Australia’s Americas Cup sailing win.

A 36-year-old Yungaburra woman has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death.

She appeared in the Mareeba Magistrates Court on November 1.

Originally published as Tributes for pedestrian killed in Yungaburra car accident, Gordon Grivas aka ‘Yotsie’