Capricorn Coast mourns icon John Watson, dead at 78
Community icons don’t get much bigger than John Watson and there has been an outpouring of emotion following his passing this week. Read the heartfelt tributes, exclusive content.
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John Watson was a legend.
Or as Livingstone Shire councillor Clint Swadling rightly pointed out: “A true legend.”
The Capricorn Coast icon died on Thursday, aged 78.
John joins his wife Suzy Watson who passed, aged 74, in January, 2022.
“Now with Suzy,” Hilary Edwards Hope wrote in a Facebook post after John’s son Rhodes told of the sad news on Thursday.
“Today I lost My Best mate,” Rhodes announced.
Whether or not Rhodes intended to capitalise the M and the B, his old man - and Rhett’s too of course - deserved it.
John was the best - one of a kind.
A true character.
The most knowledgeable man - his wit only matched by that of the amazing Suzy.
They were the perfect couple.
The nicest, most genuine people the author of this article has ever come across in a journalism career now into its third decade. No exceptions.
John and Suzy had hearts you couldn’t measure on a Phar Lap scale.
And if you were lucky enough to spend a lot of time in their presence, your life was truly better for the privilege.
John, a former Livingstone Shire councillor, founded and co-owned the Capricorn Coast Mirror newspaper with Suzy, before they sold it in 1993.
The couple then operated The Spectator News Magazine which covers local news in the Livingstone Shire.
John was a Proper news man - and yes, I intentionally capitalised it.
He learned his craft in a golden era for newspapers and newsrooms alike.
He knew his stuff.
Joining the chorus of tributes to John on Friday, was Livingstone Shire deputy mayor Adam Belot.
Mr Belot said John was a man who was “passionate about the community, passionate about his family, and passionate about his profession of journalism.”
“And nothing would stand in the way of him doing the very best that he could on behalf of those aspects of his life,” Mr Belot said.
“He was a man who didn’t care about how he looked, or how people perceived him, which is rare in individuals these days, but people like him are the true characters that make up a colourful society.
“And there will never be another John Watson.”
Mr Belot said John’s passing would be a huge loss to the Capricorn Coast.
“Especially for those people who have lived here for a long time, and have memories of the wonderful way that John connected the community.
“Especially in those earlier years when it was a smaller population.
“John connected the community - he really had the ability to do that in a way that is probably not almost able to be replicated.
“And you know, at a time when the print media was so important to people, he had an ability through his journalism to connect people, and I think people felt that they got a fair dinkum, true account of what the subjects were and that they could rely on it - they could absolutely rely on John Watson to have a forthright style about his journalism which is really difficult to find these days.
“The community, and the Cap Coast, and the entire Shire, will significantly feel the loss of an incredibly determined, committed, caring and loving individual.”
Mr Belot recalled that sometimes he and John did not see eye-to-eye, but he had the utmost respect for the man and the journalist.
“At times, you know, I didn’t always agree with him and I have to recollect it was only a little while ago where I’d said that John Watson was a bit like Calamity Jay - that sometimes he’s careless with the truth.
“And I sort of reflect on that and think, wow - it was almost a privilege to have an exchange like that with a person like John, because he could handle it, and he would give it back to you just as hard, but he wouldn’t dwell on it.
“He’d back it up with words, but if he saw you in the street, he’d do whatever he could for you.
“He didn’t let those little exchanges or differences of opinion bias him in any way.”
Mr Belot said he “really honoured” John for that.
“I remember he certainly had his stoushes with the former mayor Bill Ludwig.
“That was no secret but I can recall John standing up in the gallery one day (at a council meeting) and acknowledging the terrific leadership that Bill had shown over a fairly contentious decision that really, council needed to make.
“And I thought it was a credit to John that he did that in a public way by acknowledging the strong leadership that was demonstrated there, and it would have been easy to say nothing and not acknowledge that, but John wasn’t like that.
“He didn’t just take sides for the sake of it, he went with the content of the subject matter and that’s a credit to him as a professional journalist and as a person.”
Livingstone Shire councillor Glenda Mather said the loss of John, someone who had played such a significant role in her life, “could not be adequately described or shared.”
“When I think of John, I think of Suzy - the love and soul of his very being,” Mrs Mather said.
“They were an item and although their differences of opinion were often quite wide, they were both right because their reasoning was sound and based on either precedent, science, historical events, or simply common sense.”
Ms Mather said the couple’s knowledge and experience as journalists was reflected in their ethics and wide community support.
“Those same qualities are reflected in their two sons, Rhodes and Rhett, also journalists, both of whom they were very proud.”
Mrs Mather said the birth of the weekly Capricorn Coast Mirror with local stories was John and Suzy’s pride and joy.
“After a decade, the Mirror was followed by the Spectator News Magazine, of equal pride, where the shock passing of Suzy less than two years ago was a turning point in all their lives,” she said.
“My association with John and Suzy dated back before 1988, when the public was calling for an administrator to run the council due to the turmoil.
“It wasn’t long after, both John and Suzy successfully ran for council and the table had a real shake-up.”
Mrs Mather said John and Suzy were straight talkers and it was “poetry in motion” to watch them “run circles” around some of the others - all through their knowledge and experience.
“I shared their term on council and valued their outstanding contribution to the organisation and the community,” Mrs Mather said.
“Never to let a good story stand in the way of personal experiences, John shared his health issues through his magazine - firstly prostate cancer, where he gave a progressive and successful journey, and later bowel cancer, which he tackled with his usual determination and optimism.”
Mrs Mather said without Suzy by his side, John knew he was in good hands with Rhodes tending to his immediate and multiple appointments and admissions, while Rhett came up from Sydney to give support or give John the news of the day via the phone.
“John had a need to get his stories out - he was a story man, through and through,” Mrs Mather said.
“This time it was his journey and he wanted to share this, as an education, to all other cancer sufferers out there, to give them insight into procedures and the will to fight on.”
Mrs Mather said even though her and John were staunch friends, John “just loved ticking me off when he thought I’d strayed from common sense.”
“I took it on the chin, because I knew, deep down he was right - again - and loved him for his honesty.
“I will miss him dearly, as will many of the friends whose lives he has changed, simply by having lived in our time.”
Livingstone Shire Council released this condolence statement:
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Mr John Watson, an esteemed member of the Livingstone Shire community and a respected former Councillor.
“Mr Watson served the community with dedication and commitment with his wife Suzy Watson, both as Councillors from 1997 to 2000, leaving a lasting impact on the progress of our Shire.
“In addition to his public service, John was the owner and editor of The Spectator magazine, where he played a vital role in keeping our community informed and engaged.
“His contributions to journalism have left an indelible mark on the fabric of our community.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to his sons Rhodes and Rhett, the extended Watson family, friends, and colleagues of John during this difficult time.
“His legacy of service and passion for our community will be remembered fondly by all those whose lives he touched.
“This loss is particularly poignant as we also remember his late wife, Suzy Watson, who served as a Councillor and left us last year.
“The collective grief for the Watson family is immeasurable, and our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate this profound loss.
“Their collective impact on our community will continue to inspire us, and their memory will forever be a part of the tapestry of our local history.
“In this time of mourning, we encourage the community to remember the remarkable contributions of John Watson.”
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