Tributes flow for developer and former Gold Coast councillor Jock McIlwain who died at 89

LATE developer Jock McIlwain is being remembered as one of the Gold Coast’s “visionaries” who created many of the Glitter Strip’s most famous locations.

Alderman John Robert (Jock) McIlwain, with plans at a construction site, Gold Coast, Queensland, circa 1970s Picture: A.L. Lambert. Photo supplied by the Gold Coast Local Studies Library.

JOCK McIlwain loved centre stage, as long as he wasn’t on it.

The renowned developer was a regular at The Arts Centre Gold Coast to watch the hundreds of performers he had anonymously supported financially, or at the hip of movers and shakers his work had torpedoed into the spotlight.

The 89-year-old, who died on April 22 after a long illness, was remembered far and wide yesterday for his foresight, vision and legacy to the Gold Coast.

Afterall, he was responsible for a large part of it.

From Cavill Ave Mall to the Isle of Capri and canal estates of Mermaid Waters, there were few civic projects the former councillor did not have a hand in.

Jock McIlwain with Mayor Keith Hunt circa 1980 Picture: Files

As one saying went, his friend Sir Bruce Small got to be mayor of the Gold Coast, but John “Jock” McIlwain had the satisfaction of building it.

Sir Bruce and Mr McIlwain also served on the council together, travelling regularly to showcase the Gold Coast, and even locked horns in the early 1970s as state government candidates for the newly created seat of Surfers Paradise.

Jock McIlwain and Dr Ann Small, grand daughter of former mayor Sir Bruce Small during a gathering to mark 35 years since his passing at the Gold Coast Historical Society, Gold Coast. Picture: Regi Varghese

On his own, Mr McIlwain was behind the Coral Gables, Evandale Waters and Waterways Wonderland estates and negotiated the sale of the Evandale site at Bundall for council.

He also played a role in establishing the Gold Coast’s first commercial radio station, 4GG, designed an enclosed pedestrian mall for Surfers Paradise’s Cavill Ave and worked with famed developer Keith Williams to create the Surfers Paradise International Raceway at Carrara.

Retiring in the late 1980s, Mr McIlwain became a patron of the arts and was a major philanthropist.

Jock and Beverly McIlwain at Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards at Jupiters Hotel & Casino, Broadbeach.

Mayor Tom Tate paid tribute to Mr McIlwain’s legacy as well as his generosity.

“Jock McIlwain was a great supporter of arts and culture on the Gold Coast and behind the scenes his philanthropic endeavours have not gone unnoticed, even though he always desired anonymity,”

“As an example, I recall when he heard about a state school where the afternoon sun was causing students significant discomfort from a heated classroom.

“So Jock worked quietly behind the scenes to make sure these students got the air conditioning they needed.

“That was how low profile and zero publicity Jock was in his philanthropic endeavours.

“He was a remarkable Gold Coaster and he led by example.”

Max Christmas and Jock McIlwain.

Gold Coast Arts Centre chairman Kerry Watson said Mr McIlwain was a “visionary who believed the city would be carried forward on the shoulders of youth”.

“He instigated the development of the Evandale site, supported the arts and wanted to develop this city’s cultural identity.

“I think it would be appropriate for there to be some kind of recognition or tribute to him at the new Gold Coast cultural precinct in a solid form such as a statue, building or room.”

Close family friend Jan Grew recalled Mr McIlwain, a lover of music and painting at home, as one of the Gold Coast’s icons.

“He was a dear friend and one of the most generous benefactors to the city’s arts,” the former councillor said.

“Jock was an icon of the Gold Coast and responsible for many of its developments which helped create the city we have today.

“He will be sadly missed.”

Photo of Kate Peters with the portrait Jock McIlwain painted of her. He was her great friend and the sponsor of the Gold Coast Area Theatre awards and received the awards' top honour in December for his long history of financial support of the arts and young artists on the gold coast. Jock died recently. Picture: Richard Gosling

Mr McIlwain was born in Fiji in 1926 and served in the military before emigrating to Australia in the late 1940s to study engineering.

After working on the Snowy Mountain Scheme and opening his own practice, he was enticed to the Gold Coast in 1960 by Sir Bruce Small.

A landmark of conservative politics in the city, Mr McIlwain was last year inducted into the Gold Coast Business Hall of Fame.

A private funeral will be held with a public memorial expected to announced in coming weeks. He is survived by his wife Beverly and three children.

Portrait of Jock McIlwain.