Brothers Sports Club founding supporter Josie Byrne passes aged 93.

The Bundaberg community is mourning the loss of a founding member of Brothers Sports Club and beloved family matriarch. Read the touching tribute here:

Josie Byrne had a “great life” said son Peter.

The year was 1970, and an enterprising group of gentleman had decided they had the ability to build a club that would come to define the Bundaberg sporting community, and so Brothers Sports Club was born.

That group included John Byrne, long time board member, president and secretary.

However, as the saying goes, behind every good man is a great woman, and Mr Byrne was no exception.

When his wife Josie passed on September 23, 2022, at the age of 93, the sports club and wider community mourned a true advocate, carer and good friend.

Born July 4, 1929 in Gladstone to Frank and Eva Gilmore, Josie was an only child but this didn’t deter her from creating firm and lasting friendships.

She spent her early youth on daring seafaring adventures with her grandfather, watching in awe as her mother entertained on the piano and generally had a great childhood.

In 1930, young Josie experienced her first taste of tragedy when the Gladstone sawmill burnt to the ground leaving her father unemployed.

The small family made the move to Bundaberg as soon as accommodation could be secured so Mr Gilmore could start work at the Bundaberg Sawmill.

It was here, in grade one at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, she met her future husband.

Born just one month apart, Josie and John quickly came to know each other as school mates but it was 13 years before “they took special notice of one another” said son Peter Byrne.

What began as a debutante ball date in 1946 resulted in a marriage in 1951 and the pair remained happily married until John’s passing in 2011.

Josie Byrne had a “great life” said son Peter.

In the years following their marriage, the couple welcomed six children to their growing family Kaye, Peter, Michael, Anne, Tony and Carmel.

Peter remembers his childhood fondly, even after the 1954 polio epidemic paralysed his sister Kaye and often meant his mother was away in Brisbane caring for Kaye through operations and medical procedures.

The founding of the Sports Club provided an exciting and positive outlet for the family, and over the 50 years since its founding Josie supported her husband in the clubs management through organised functions, fundraisers and events.

“Mum was always there, right by Dad’s side,” Peter said

“Brothers was simply a part of their life.”

Josie was also a strong supporter of the Mater Hospital and served in auxiliary raising money for the care of patients.

She also spent time on the women’s branch of the rotary committee, volunteering her time whenever she could.

“She loved people, and helping wherever she could,” Peter said

“As children we were always told it’s about giving back to the community and the importance of family.”

Josie is survived by four living children, eight grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren with a ninth on the way.

All are welcome to attend the funeral Tuesday October, 4 at 11:00am in the St. Patrick Catholic Church in West Bundaberg.