Greg Harding farewelled at heartbreaking Hervey Bay funeral

The devastated family of alleged murder victim Greg Harding has paid tribute to a ‘loyal and protective’ brother, father and grandfather at a moving funeral service.

The heartbroken family of an alleged murder victim has paid tribute to the man they knew as a loyal and devoted father, grandfather and brother.

Craignish Country Club owner Greg Harding’s body was found at his caretaker’s cottage on the grounds of the club on August 16.

Police allege he was killed by a close-range gunshot wound between 10pm and 11pm on August 15.

Greg’s funeral was held at J Kirk and Son’s Orana Chapel in Hervey Bay on Friday afternoon.

The moving service was led by celebrant Christine Smith, with hundreds of people gathered to say their final farewells.

His brother Tony paid tribute to the 64-year-old, who was looking forward to selling his business and retiring.

“There was no grey areas with Greg,” he said.

“Once you broke into Greg’s heart, he was loyal.

“He was hard to get close to but once you got close to him, he was the most loyal person you’d ever had.”

Tony remembered his brother as being athletic, excelling at football and cricket.

He remembered a protective brother.

When Tony started at high school, he had 500 new children around him, but the simple mention that Greg was his brother meant “school was great”, he said.

“I was protected wherever I went,” he said.

“Greg never looked for a fight, but he never backed away from one either.”

His daughter Rebecca recalled spending Christmas with her beloved Dad.

Greg had loved spending time with his family and grandchildren.

“These kids, he loved them so much,” she said.

A message from daughter Yolanda was read out to those gathered.

She spoke of learning hundreds of jokes to tell to her dad, many of which were a bit “adult” and which she didn’t understand, but she knew he would.

Yolanda remembered telling them at the club, much to the amusement of those at the bar.

“He taught me it was important to make people laugh,” she said.

The heartbreaking note recalled an argument between father and daughter, in which she told him how important it was to her to be told she was loved.

Police at the scene where Greg Harding, owner of the Craignish Country Club, was found dead on August 16.

A week later, at the club, in front of all his customers, her dad told her “you know I love you”.

They hugged to the cheers of those watching on and from then on every phone call was ended with “okay. Gotta go. Love ya and leave ya”.

It was the same message Yolanda ended her tribute with.

The funeral was live-streamed for those who were unable to attend.

Last Saturday, two men were charged with murder over Mr Harding’s death.

They appeared in court on Monday and were remanded in custody.