Kilkivan radio legend Tony Van Lysdonk, 71, identified as man killed Murgon crash

Devastated family and friends across the region have united to remember the ‘friendly and outgoing’ grandfather who died in a horror crash at Murgon at the weekend. Read the full tribute here:

Heartbroken family and friends across Gympie and the wider region have come together to mourn the loss of a doting grandfather and passionate radio enthusiast, who tragically died in a car crash at Murgon over the weekend.

Kilkivan man Tony Van Lysdonk, 71, was killed when the utility he was driving left the Bunya Highway and rolled at about 8.30am Saturday.

A passing motorist who witnessed the crash raised the alarm.

Former Sunshine Coast Radio Club president Harvey Wicks said club members were left “shaken” after losing two members in a week, learning of Tony’s death while already grieving the death of another member.

“He was a valuable member of the club for many years, and it just happens we lost another member that same week,” Mr Wicks said.

“So it’s shaken the whole club up quite a bit.

“I was just talking to him about a fortnight ago and he was telling me how happy he was at his new place in Kilkivan.”

Mr Wicks said Tony was a very friendly and outgoing person who would be missed greatly by the club.

The local radio legend pursued his passion across the country, joining amateur radio clubs from South Australia to the Sunshine Coast and the Gympie Amateur Radio Club.

In a statement from his doting partner, shared by the radio club, Carol Bradke said Tony was due to start working for the rural fire brigade that week and had just received his uniform.

She said he was excited for his first day on Saturday, but was killed in the horror crash before he could make it to his new workplace.

The Forensic Crash Unit is still investigating the circumstances of the incident.