Family, friends farewell Brett Ian Nimmo in funeral service after motorcycle crash

A convoy of trucks helped pay tribute to a rider who was smart as a “real life ChatGPT”, loved the gym and his family. It comes after his devastating crash death.

Brett Ian Nimmo died on July 19, 2025 after a tragic motorbike crash at the Bruce Highway, Mount Pleasant.

Friends and family have gathered to share their grief and celebrate the life of a “one of a kind”, “spontaneous, thoughtful and full of love” father of three.
Brett Ian Nimmo tragically died in a motorcycle crash at the Bruce Highway, Mount Pleasant on Saturday July 19, 2025.

Speaking at his funeral on Thursday, his partner Tara Byrne paid tribute to her “soulmate”.

Brett Ian Nimmo died on July 19, 2025 after a tragic motorbike crash at the Bruce Highway, Mount Pleasant.

“He was my best friend, my teammate, my co-conspirator … on the rare day we weren’t physically side-by-side we’d be texting and calling,” Ms Byrne said.

“We were obsessed with each other from the moment we met.”

Ms Byrne said Brett had no off switch and was “always on, always ready for a laugh for an adventure for absolutely everything”.

“He lived every moment to the fullest,” she said.

Tara Byrne, Mr Nimmo's partner, said she and Brett were obsessed with each other and always communicating when they were apart.

Brett was born in Mackay to Ian and Jenny Nimmo and started his schooling at Walkerston State School.

He enjoyed playing footy and spending countless weekends sailing with his dad and later developed a passion for gym workouts, calling the gym his happy place.

Posted to Brett’s Facebook page in May 2019.

World Gym Mackay shared their own tribute to Brett as a “much-loved member”.

“Brett will be missed by all who knew him,” they said.

“Love World Gym Mackay family.”

Brett's daughter Mercedes shared stories of her father.

Mr Nimmo had two children — Taylor and Jett — and became a father to Ms Byrne’s daughter Mercedes who said the day she met Brett her life became complete.

“He never once made me feel like I wasn’t his, he was my dad,” she said.

“He was the most intelligent person I ever met, a real life ChatGPT.

“He was kind, he was genuine and he was the best dad I could ever ask for.”

Mercedes said Mr Nimmo made life an adventure, but also never hesitated to care for her, whether it was picking her up from a party or teaching her to drive.

“He was always the first person to laugh at my little jokes, even if no one was listening,” she said.
“He gave me everything I didn’t even know I was missing and I will love him forever.”

Brett Ian Nimmo and his family in 2019.

Mr Nimmo’s daughter Taylor said her dad was her favourite person and said nothing will ever be normal again without him.

“The worst is that he will never get to see me graduate, to see me have my first legal drink, to walk me down the aisle and to most importantly hold my kids,” she said.

“I try to remind myself that things will get a little easier.”

Family and friends all spoke of his adventurous spirit particularly when it came to travel, passion for the gym, love of food and enjoyment of a good drink.

They said there was no curfew when “Bretto” was around and he was the life of family gatherings, getting on with young and old members alike.

Mr Nimmo’s sister Jodi said he was larger than life “just like his muscles”.

“The world is definitely dimmer without him here,” she said.

Friends and family gathered at the New Life Church in North Mackay to celebrate the life of Brett Nimmo. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Brett Ian Nimmo was taken from New Life Church in North Mackay to Paget where he will be cremated.
Riding behind the hearse were family, friends and four big rig trucks with the leader bearing a banner that read “in loving memory, Brett ‘Bretto’ Nimmo, the life of the party”.

Ms Byrne said she’ll keep laughing through her heartbreak, just like he would want.

“He’d want noise, stories, smiles, people talking over the top of each other and of course a drink or two,” Ms Byrne said.

“I love you babe.”