Beloved architect, writer Gavin Patterson posthumously award OAM

A beloved architect and writer who played a pivotal role in the revival of Maryborough as a heritage city has been honoured with an OAM two years after his death.

Lanky Fraser Coast architect Gavin Patterson carved legacies large and small, on the land and in minds, in a unique, caring style peppered with whimsical humour, barbed wit or brutal honesty.

A well-known Fraser Coast architect and writer has posthumously been awarded an Order of Australia medal.

Gavin Patterson was passionate about architecture, heritage preservation, art, music, literature, theatre, the ocean and rivers, bird life and nature in general.

He loved yachting and camping and had a generous nature, whether helping others, offering hospitality or teaching young relatives old or invented games.

At his funeral in April 2022, his wife Tess Patterson told of a whirlwind life of adventure for the avowed atheist who relished the beauty of old churches and stood unflinchingly for his principles.

“Gavin’s self-assuredness was what enabled him to make things happen,” she said

“He didn’t just talk about doing things – he did them – and no matter what he took on he did it thoroughly – and with panache.

“He swept people up on the coat tails of his enthusiasm and creativity.”

Mr Patterson, who died on March 24 aged 77, was raised in Brisbane and spent boyhood holidays at The Gables, once a rambling landmark house at Point Vernon.

He was married three times, to Lindy White in 1966, Ros Gibbs in 1979, and Tess Wroe in 2004, and had three children, Phoebe, Harry and Lucy.

Former Fraser Coast Chronicle editor Nancy Bates paid tribute to Mr Patterson’s contribution to the community in the wake of the announcement he would receive the honour.

Gavin and Tess Patterson at the launch of the book, A Bird Memoir - Sketches and Stories of birds around Wide Bay. An exhibition of the watercolour sketches in the book is in the upstairs gallery of Gatakers Artspace. Also on display are two other exhibits, Heart of K'Gari and works by Sue McLean.

“It’s too late to congratulate him but how rewarding it has been to feel the applause after it was announced Gavin Patterson has been posthumously awarded an OAM,” Ms Bates wrote.

“Gavin - architect, artist, lover of classical music, funny and forthright - left a gap on the Fraser Coast when he died two years ago.

“As his beloved wife Tess says, he would have been dismissive but secretly pleased to have known he was named in the King’s Birthday Australian Honour List.

“I was pleased to review two charming whimsical books he wrote and illustrated - A Bird Memoir (Sketches and Stories of birds around the Wide Bay) and a memoir about The Gables, an iconic Hervey Bay home at Port Vernon.

“I was also honoured to speak at the funeral for the avowed atheist who relished the beauty of old churches and stood unflinchingly for his principles.

“Apart from the many citations in his OAM honour that recognised his services to the Fraser Coast, Gavin Patterson was also a pivotal player in the renaissance of Maryborough as a heritage city.”

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