Police investigations continue after the suspected murder of Greg Harding at Craignish Country Club

The owner of a Queensland country club was selling the property and looking forward to retiring in until his life was cut short in sinister circumstances. SPECIAL REPORT

The slain owner of a Queensland country club was on the cusp of sealing a major sale of the property and retiring in the day he was discovered dead in his caretaker’s cottage.

This latest revelation is one of many in a murder mystery which has gripped the small coastal community where polarising publican Greg Harding had ruled the Craignish Country Club for more than two decades.

Since the early hours of Monday morning the normally bustling watering hole has remained at a standstill after Mr Harding, having suffered injuries police still won’t be drawn on, died aged 64.

The Fraser Coast Chronicle and Courier Mail can exclusively reveal the club, on a busy intersection of Pialba Burrum Heads Rd, the unofficial border between two different worlds – beachfront mansions on one side, rural (and sometimes rough) life on the other, was in the process of being sold.

The prime site’s layout is indicative of its diverse clientele – sprawling greens, white golf carts, retirees teeing off in the back and a humble hotel featuring a tired floor, poker machines and chalkboard specials detailing what the cook has on offer in the front.

Development documents reveal this was all in line to be demolished and reimagined as high-end lifestyle village ‘Craignish Lakes’.

According to the listing agent, who had only met with Mr Harding days before his death, the transaction was in the final stages and his client was preparing for a quiet retirement.

Paul Capper from Bespoke Realty Services was working with Mr Harding on the sale of his wider $20 million property portfolio which included the club.

He said Mr Harding was “right on the verge” of retiring and what had happened to his client and friend, “terrible”.

Over the 12 months they spent working together on various sales, they talked often about how Mr Harding wanted to spend the next few years.

His plans were simple, no overseas travel, even in a post-Covid world, or big fishing charters, just a place of his own where he could live quietly.

Mr Capper said he had asked Mr Harding if he would remain on as manager of the club after the sale and received an emphatic “absolutely not”.

“He just wanted to live an easy life and take it easy for a while.”

Greg Harding, 64, was found dead at his residence on the grounds of the country club about 8am on Monday morning. He is pictured here a couple of years ago campaigning for the dangerous corner outside the club to be upgraded.

This week, Mr Harding, said to be a straight talker one warmed to “once you got to know him” has been remembered as a man who enjoyed a laugh and greeting those who had arrived for a round of golf.

The club and the nearby, separately owned, Fraser Lakes Golf Course, which has its own bar and 18-hole green, both form part of the Craignish Lakes development application.

An aerial view of Craignish Country Club and surrounding land.

Fraser Lakes owner Kathy Cameron said while it was business as usual in her corner, it had been unsettling and concerning to learn of Mr Harding’s death just down the road and she hoped there was justice soon.

“I hope they catch whoever did it,” she said.

A drive past the Craignish Country Club for much of the last week has been an eerie one for those living in the area.

On a typical afternoon, golfers would be teeing off and the beer flowing on unusually warm winter days.

The only visitors however were forensic police and detectives, working around the clock to solve the crime.

Police have confirmed the hotel has since been handed back to the family but its future is unclear.

The community wants answers, but so far few details are known.

No arrests have been made and detectives have offered little insight into the potential cause of death other than their belief it resulted from an “altercation” on Sunday night.

Papers scattered in the car park are also being reviewed.

Speaking to reporters on Friday Inspector Gary Pettiford renewed calls for anyone who might have CCTV or dashcam footage that might assist with inquiries to come forward.

He was particularly keen to hear from anyone in the vicinity on August 15, between the hours of 10pm and 11pm.

“If you saw anything suspicious, any people or any vehicles or anything that just seems out of place, if you could just contact Crime Stoppers (1800 333 000) that would be appreciated,” Insp Pettiford said.

“Likewise if anyone saw anything suspicious between 10pm and 11pm on Sunday night between Hervey Bay and Craignish, if they could also come forward.

“So if you were in the area at that time, if you could bring your dashcam in we’d love to review that.”

Det Insp Pettiford said a post mortem had been carried out but a cause of death was yet to be confirmed.

“This investigation will be quite tedious, it will be quite lengthy,” he said.

“But we will not give up, we never do, and we hope to resolve this matter by arresting an offender, or offenders, that may be responsible for this offence, to bring some sort of small closure to the family of the victim involved.”

The scene at Craignish Country Club after the suspicious death of Greg Harding.

Commenting on the Fraser Coast Chronicle’s Facebook page Margarita Drewson said “I drive by this place two times a day as I am sure many do and it is so, so sad and depressing to see. Breaks my heart actually.”

Myree Oakley, who had worked with Mr Harding previously, agreed it was terrible to think it had happened around the corner from her home.

Jade Wellings, the Fraser Coast councillor responsible for the division where Mr Harding lived and operated his business, said the community was in shock.

“Everyone’s wondering how this could have happened, especially to such a well-known and prominent member of the community,” she said.

“My heart goes out to his family and the first responders dealing with the situation.”