Remembering Gerard ‘Paul’ Duffy, Marliah Eastment, William John Costigan, Corey Kurtzer
A business owner, a one-year-old baby, a much-loved teenager and a teacher were just some of the beloved locals who died 2022. We look back on the Bundaberg people whose stories left us in tears.
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Every life lost in the region is one that many will go on to remember for decades to come.
Each member of the community, whether young, old or somewhere in the middle, leaves us with memories, smiles and impressions that will never be forgotten.
We have looked back on the tributes we’ve penned to some of these beloved community members.
Gerard ‘Paul’ Duffy
Gerard ‘Paul’ Duffy was one of the most well-known Bundaberg community members for decades.
From school drop-offs to trips into town, Gerard ‘Paul’ Duffy had a passion for serving the community as the owner of Duffy’s City Buses.
His grandfather Tom Duffy started the business in 1954.
When his grandfather died, Mr Duffy took the business over with his brothers, before buying it outright with his wife Lyn in 1981.
Mr Duffy was also a life member at the Bundaberg Surf Life Saving Club.
A friend of more than 60 years, Allan Teasdale, 77, said Mr Duffy was a generous man.
“He was dedicated to his family and dedicated to his business,” Mr Teasdale said.
“He was also very generous of sporting organisations throughout the town, providing in some cases free bus trips for people and discounted bus trips for others.”
Mr Duffy has three children, Chris, Karen and Cameron.
He passed away peacefully in Bundaberg on February 27, 2022, at the age of 77.
Marliah Eastment
Little Marliah Eastment was tragically young when a rare cancer claimed her life.
The beloved little girl was just one when she lost her battle with an uncommon form of leukaemia, detected when a nurse noticed the lymph nodes in Marliah’s groin were swollen.
Mum Natasha described her precious baby daughter as an incredible fighter who never stopped smiling.
“She was the most beautiful girl and always the most bright and bubbly baby,” she said.
“Always had a smile on her face. She was always so cheeky. She was the strongest person I have ever met. She taught me how to be strong.”
Marliah was born on October 7, 2021 and passed away surrounded by loving family on October 20, 2022.
William ‘John’ Costigan
Bundaberg teacher William John Costigan taught many a local, leaving a lasting impact that helped shape the region.
Working first as a teacher in Bowen, Mr Costigan soon made the move to Bundaberg where he worked for North Bundaberg State High School and then Shalom College in a career that spanned 26 years.
It was his association with Brothers Football that led him to calling Bundaberg home and would also go on to be involved with Rotary.
His love of sport even led him to coaching squash, football and golf.
Wife Lyn described Mr Costigan as a true gentleman.
“He was a dedicated family man,” she said. “That was a big thing.”
Mr Costigan passed away on February 7 at the age of 74.
Corey Kurtzer
Friends and family were left heartbroken by the loss of Isis teen Corey Kurtzer.
Mr Kurtzer was just 19 when he lost his life in a traffic crash on the Bruce Highway.
Bundaberg‘s social media pages were flooded with condolences in the wake of his death, with those who knew him speaking highly of his character and describing a young man who loved fishing, horses and the outdoors.
Mr Kurtzer is remembered as a kind and polite young man with a love of laughter and a bubbly smile that could light up a room.
He passed away on Saturday, August 13.
Eric Cyril Manuel
The Isis RSL said a heartfelt goodbye to Eric Cyril Manuel, who served as Former Fleet Air Arm Officer in the United Kingdom and Australian navies.
Mr Manuel served across many postings during his service, including on aircraft carriers, at shore and at sea.
It was during a training exchange in Australia that he realised he had a fond love of the country, and made it his mission to stay in Australia.
He became an aircraft artificer, and remained in the service until September 14, 1955 after which point he was discharged.
Isis RSL sub-branch‘s AJ Robinson said Mr Manuel was beloved by all who knew him.
Mr Manuel spent many years in Childers before retiring to Gunther Village in Gaynah where he died peacefully in his sleep Sunday, October 30 2022, aged 97 years.
Phyllis Raines
A local sporting icon who represented Australian women in cricket in an era when women from regional towns weren’t often celebrated for their sporting achievements, passed away aged 100 years in 2022.
Phyllis Raines was a local legend, with her career leading her to represent the nation in the Women’s Country Cricket team against a touring English Women’s team in her youth.
It is because of the likes of Phyllis that women in cricket started to get the recognition they deserve.
The region lost the sporting icon on June 10.
Josie Byrne
Josie Byrne was the wife of Brothers Club president John Byrne and, as such, played a massive role in forming and maintaining one of the region‘s most loved sports clubs.
Mrs Byrne had six children with her husband.
The founding of the Sports Club provided an exciting and positive outlet for the family and Josie enjoyed organising functions, fundraisers and events.
Mrs Byrne passed away on September 23 at the age of 93.
If you have recently lost a loved one and would like to share the story of their life, email crystal-rose.jones@news.com.au
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