Teacher, champion boxer, serviceman, leader: Former Mulgrave MP Warren Pitt dies at 76

Former Mulgrave MP, teacher, and serviceman, Warren Pitt has died at the age of 76.

Past and present Members for Mulgrave, Warren Pitt (left) and son Curtis Pitt of Gordonvale.

Former Mulgrave MP, teacher, and serviceman, Warren Pitt has died at the age of 76.

Warren Pitt served the community to the south of Cairns as the Labor member for Mulgrave from 1989 to 1995, and 1998 until his retirement in 2009 when he passed the torch to his son Curtis Pitt.

Mr Pitt said his father died peacefully in Gordonvale in the early hours of Friday morning.

“He lived an extraordinary life, doing so much for others and creating a positive impact on this world,” Mr Pitt wrote in memory of his father.

“On behalf of my mother Linda – who he loved so deeply – and my sister Dionne, we say thank you to those people who were a part of dad’s life – you were important because you made his life richer and fuller for knowing you.

“Dionne and I never had to look too far to find a hero, or to aspire to aim high. In our dad, greatness has been sitting next to us, holding our hands and guiding us our entire lives.”

Born in Cairns on March 14 1948, Warren was a schoolteacher before entering politics also serving as an army reservist from 1969 to 1975.

Warren Pitt was a pioneer for rugby league in Gordonvale, from his early days as a player to coach, referee and administrator. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

He was elected to the Queensland parliament as member for Mulgrave at the 1989 state election defeating the sitting National Party MP Max Menzel.

He served two terms before being unseated by the National’s Naomi Wilson in 1995.

He would return to the parliament in 1998 after the resignation of One Nation’s Charles Rappolt and the resulting by-election.

During his time in parliament Warren would serve as Government Whip, Business Industry and Regional Development Minister, and spent years as the Communities and Disability Services Minister.

Under Anna Bligh he served as Main Roads and Local Government Minister until his retirement in 2009.

Former Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt attends question time at the Far North Queensland regional sitting of the Queensland Parliament, held at the Cairns Convention Centre. Picture: Brendan Radke

Just some of his achievements while in parliament include overseeing the upgrading of Gordonvale and Innisfail hospitals, the establishment of Bentley Park College, and the wholesale reshaping of the Queensland disability sector.

Outside of his life in politics Warren devoted much of his life to sporting and community groups across the south of Cairns becoming a life member of 13 organisations.

An accomplished rugby league player, referee, athlete, cricketer and champion boxer, Warren helped establish the Mulgrave Netball association and Mulgrave Athletics, served as president, secretary and treasurer of the Mulgrave Cricket Association and Southern suburbs rugby league and even umpired a world series cricket match between Australia and West Indies in Cairns.

Photo of Former MP Warren Pitt and his wife Linda in hospital

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said Warren Pitt was a distinguished leader and cherished member of the community.

“Warren dedicated his life to public service and the betterment of Queensland,” she said. “Warren’s journey began as a schoolteacher, a role in which he shaped young minds and laid the foundation for his future in public service.

“He did so much to build up and support the FNQ community, but his love for rugby league was among his most passionate causes.

“Warren’s unwavering dedication to his constituents and improving the lives of others have left an indelible mark on our community.

“His contributions will be remembered for generations to come.”

Mr Pitt is survived by his wife Linda, children Curtis and Dionne and six grandchildren.

Originally published as Teacher, champion boxer, serviceman, leader: Former Mulgrave MP Warren Pitt dies at 76