Jed Cahill: Popular Gold Coast filmmaker, teacher and father-of-three dies of cancer at age 43

Funeral details have emerged and tributes are flowing after the tragic death of a Gold Coast family man and surf lifesaving identity.

Tributes continue to pour in for Gold Coast filmmaking identity Jed Cahill, who died on Friday after a year-long battle with brain cancer.

Mr Cahill, who was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer early last year, is being remembered by friends and family as “one of the best”.

Gold Coast film industry identity Jed Cahill has died. He’s pictured in March 2021 with wife Jacinta and children Willow, Max and Ruby. Picture: Nigel Hallett

“Thank you Jed Cahill for being the best brother-in-law in the universe and rock to my kids and me when I needed a big hug,” Mr Cahill’s sister-in-law Cidonie Richards wrote in a heartfelt social media post.

“Thank you for loving my sister Jacinta Cahill every moment of your beautiful life together,” Ms Richards continued.

“It was too soon and not fair but I’m grateful you showed my kids so much fun and love over the years.”

Jed Cahill speaking to young filmmakers. Picture: Paul Braven

Ms Richards thanked Mr Cahill for his presence as an “important male role model” in her children’s lives, with “integrity, loyalty and good old fashioned values mixed with lots of laughs and fun”.

Friend and colleague Emily Cook said she was “struggling to accept a world” without Mr Cahill.

“You were a powerful creative force with a smile that would light up the room,” she said. “The world was lucky to have you.”

Commenters, too, have remembered Mr Cahill fondly.

He was a “caring and vibrant person”, one school friend said, adding he was “loved by all.”

“Jed made a big difference in the lives of many, something we can all aspire to,” another said.

Mr Cahill used his last social media post to thank family amid chemotherapy symptoms.

“Feel so lucky to have family,” he said on the Saturday before his death, “especially my mum and dad, they are a superpower.”

He is survived by wife Jacinta and children Willow, Max and Ruby.

Jed Cahill speaking to school students.

Details have been set for the funeral of beloved Gold Coast filmmaker and clubbie Jed Cahill.

Mr Cahill’s funeral will be held at 11am on June 27 at Mudgeeraba’s Mosaic Baptist Church, president of the Currumbin Vikings Benny Munro confirmed in a note to the club’s members.

A wake will follow at the Currumbin Beach Vikings Surf Lifesaving Club.

Mr Cahill’s family has asked that, in lieu of flowers, guests pay their respects through donations to the redevelopment of the Vikings’ nippers club, Mr Munro said.

‘He touched so many lives’: Coast teacher and filmmaker dies

June 20: A Gold Coast filmmaking identity has died just a year after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.

Jed Cahill, who ran the In the Bin and Queensland Touring film festivals died on Friday at age 43.

He is survived by his wife Jacinta and children Willow, Max and Ruby.

Mr Cahill had been diagnosed with the aggressive form of cancer in early 2021 and was given just 12 months to live at the time.

Currumbin Vikings president and close friend Benny Munro revealed Mr Cahill’s passing late on Monday night and paid tribute to the man, who he said was “one of the kindest men” he had ever known.

Jed Cahill was well-known on the Gold Coast for his In the Bin short film festival.

“He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He always saw the good in people even when they perhaps could not see it in themselves,” he wrote in an emotional social media post.

“Again and again, I witnessed Jed simply do things for people – not because it was expected; not because he would be rewarded, but just because he adored people. He had a heart of oceanic proportions.

“Jed was just 43 years of age, which proves that the brightest of stars sometimes also burn the fastest.”

Mr Cahill was a long-serving figure in the Queensland film industry and travelled the state sharing his knowledge and skills, which he also taught at TAFE.

He was diagnosed with stage 4 glioblastoma in March 2021, right before he was about to officiate at the state nipper championships.

Amid Covid border closures, he received permission from the federal government to fly to Germany to seek treatment mid-last year.

Mr Munro said Mr Cahill left behind a long legacy with the club and its surf lifesaving members.

“Jed was loud and loving – his booming voice and raucous laughter were like a rallying cry for joy,” he said.

Jed Cahill at a school as part of the Queensland Touring Film Festival. Picture: Scott Fletcher

“He was the Pied Piper for our Nippers – a once in a generation leader who simply radiated love for our littlest Vikings and it’s hard to know who had the better time – Jed or the kids.

“His was a life that touched so many others. Knowing Jed simply changed you for the better.”

Mr Cahill’s funeral will be held on June 27, with a time and location to be announced.

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