Tributes for Noel Simonsen, Gympie musician and Billy Slater’s granddad

Noel Simonsen’s career as a performer took him across the country, and his passion for grassroots rugby league left a lasting legacy and helped create a Queensland legend.

Musicians from across the country are paying tribute to Noel Simonsen, a popular Gympie country artist and grandfather of rugby league icon Billy Slater, following his death at age 83 at the weekend.

Musicians from across the country have paid tribute to Noel Simonsen, a popular Gympie-based country artist and grandfather of rugby league icon Billy Slater, following his death at the age of 83 at the weekend.

Noel, known by friends as “Simo”, was a popular figure not only on the music scene, but in sports circles in the state’s gulf country.

His career included stints with AMP Insurance, Golden Fleece Petroleum, Butler Bros Brisbane, Rennicks Garage Wondai, and Thomas Jacks Department Store, but it was his work with a guitar and audience that will be his lasting legacy.

Gympie musician Graeme Jensen said he was “honoured” to have called Noel a friend and colleague since the 1980s.

“He was a wonderful man, musician and mentor in my early career and a great contributor to the country music scene back in the good old days,” Mr Jensen said.

Noel Simonsen with his guitar at the 2019 Gympie Muster.

“He brought joy to thousands of fans and his legacy that is left in the heart of country music will be forever cherished.

“Rest easy old mate.”

Tributes from others whose paths he had crossed were left on the singer’s Facebook page.

Lorraine Goodlet said he was a “true friend who envisioned and helped through the years with Cadillac Ranch Stage Hire”, and Marilyn Mim Morgan said he was “always willing to let the young ones have a go”.

The Mount Isa Foley Shield Fan Club paid its own respects as “as many would remember Noel through footy and his service station”.

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Noel and Pam Simonsen entertain the crowd at Jandowae Bowls Club. Photo Nancy Evans / Dalby Herald

He served as a referee, and was described by Craig Perkins as a “top fair referee in the hardest marking bush rugby league competition in Australia”.

“A total Isa League man all the way,” Mr Perkins said.

Paul King called Noel “a Mt Isa legend and a good man”.

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“Helping out Juniors was his strength, especially us kids born in the early 60s.”

Noel’s funeral will be held in Gympie on Friday, October 27, at the Cooloola Coast Crematorium.

The service starts at 2pm.