Tributes to people the Far North lost in 2020
It was a tough year for the region as we farewelled cherished civic leaders, advocates, community stalwarts and inspirational figures, all beloved by family and friends in 2020. We pay tribute to more than 35 Far Northerners.
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AS most families were madly preparing for Christmas this year, the Rusty’s Markets family and the Far Northern Papua New Guinean community was mourning the loss of renowned stallholder Margaret Kabau Parkes, who died on December 21.
Nu Nu Restaurant executive chef Nick Holloway paid tribute to the market stalwart on Christmas Eve.
“I am deeply saddened by your passing,” Mr Holloway posted on social media.
“For many years I have relished our Friday morning market chats, your infectious smile and generous spirit.
“You taught me about sago and cassava, brought me food to taste, shared your stories and made me smile with that ever present grin.
“Thank you Margaret for making the world a better place.”
Family and friends will farewell Ms Parkes at a service at Mossman Cemetery today.
Ms Parkes’ death marked a year when the Far North mourned the deaths of civic leaders, advocates, community stalwarts and inspirational figures, in sad addition to the 25 people tragically lost on the region’s roads in 2020.
Lisa Griffiths
15 December
Well-known real estate agent Lisa Griffiths died peacefully in Cairns Hospital after a long-running battle with a rare form of cancer.
She was 27 years old.
“She was just so selfless, it was always about making other people happy,” partner Troy McGuane said.
“Her message is she doesn’t want us to be sad; we can’t because she won’t let us.”
Carol Mayer
December 14
The brave Cairns mum, 53, whose story of survival inspired thousands of people, died after succumbing to an aggressive stomach cancer.
Carol Mayer was never expected to wake up after receiving terrible burns to 85 per cent of her body in a house fire in 2000 but she defied expectations and went on to live a passionate, humble life.
“As a family we watched in awe our beautiful sister stop at nothing to weave her craft and her calling — and that was simply a mission of hers to help others,” Russell Mayer and Natalie O Mahony, speaking on behalf of the family, said in a statement.
Nate Moule
15 December
Mareeba boy Nate Moule lost his battle with cancer surrounded by family.
Nate’s mum Katie Moule took to the Nate’s Mates Facebook page to share the devastating news, saying “my heart is so broken”.
Nate was diagnosed with a brain tumour in October 2018 and has undergone five different surgeries, the most recent with renowned brain surgeon Charlie Teo in February.
Sandy Whyte
November 28
The Far North business community mourned the sudden death of former Cairns Chamber of Commerce boss Sandy Whyte, who was remembered for his dedication to the communities he served.
He spent 13 years leading the Cairns chamber as executive officer between 1998-2011 and was most recently the general manager of APN Cape York.
“We’ve lost one of life’s great blokes,” current Cairns Chamber of Commerce CEO Patricia O’Neill said.
Jason Visini
November 26
The Far North police was left in shock after the death of the promising young Tablelands-based officer described by colleagues as an “outstanding person” and a “gentle giant with a huge heart”.
Acting Sen-Constable Jason Visini, 35, who was most recently based at Herberton, died suddenly at his family’s Sunshine Coast home while off duty, understood to be from a medical condition.
Darcy Byrnes
November 19
Byrnes Quality Meats patriarch D’Arcy Byrnes, 84, was “one of the hardest working men in the game” and left behind an empire he built from the ground up.
With butcher shops at Manunda and Portsmith, an abattoir and cattle fattening blocks on the Atherton Tablelands and three stations covering 1.5 million acres at Coen, Mr Byrnes’ legacy is without parallel in the Far North.
“What he has been able to build is truly remarkable and there wouldn’t be a butcher in North Queensland that doesn’t know the man,” Byrnes Quality Meats manager Andrew McIntosh said.
Margaret Nelson
November 11
Margaret Nelson, 78, was known as a visionary businesswoman with an impeccable and quirky eye for design.
Ms Nelson made a name for herself transforming rundown properties into masterpieces, particularly the art deco Babinda Quarters, which she created out of the rundown nursing quarters.
Friend and former Cairns mayor Val Schier said “Maggie” would be sorely missed.
Paul Lauridsen
November 11
Babinda paid tribute to a much-loved local Paul Lauridsen, 83, who was farewelled during an uplifting funeral service at the Far North hamlet’s RSL Memorial Hall.
Mr Lauridsen “passed away peacefully” with those paying tribute describing the father, grandfather and great grandfather “who loved farming” as “a true gentleman” and “a lovely man”.
McLoffty Gaidan
October
Described as a rising star of the competition, the entire AFL Cairns community mourned the sudden loss of talented teenager McLoffty Gaidan.
Just 17 years of age, Gaidan’s death sent shockwaves through the local AFL fraternity as he had links to a number of clubs.
AFL Cairns operations manager Craig Lees, who also coached Gaidan, said the entire league was devastated by the loss of McLoffty.
”He was a young star,” Lees said.
“McLoffty was a well-loved teammate and respected by all opposition players.”
Casey Dent
October 9
Zulu Game Fishing skipper Casey Dent, 46, died at the Mossman Hospital after an almost two-year fight with kidney cancer.
Partner Amanda Haines posted heart-wrenching messages on social media after his passing.
“I already miss you so so so much. My heart is completely broken, my body feels as heavy as a rock and I don’t know how to do life without you,” she wrote.
The Cairns Professional Game Fishing Association said he was “the kindest man you could meet on the water”.
Walter Baker
September
Walter Baker, a 28-year-old former Mareeba State High School student, was well-known on the rodeo circuit across the north and tragically died due to a heart attack after attending the Burke and Wills Rodeo at Cloncurry.
He was remembered as “an amazing legend of the Gulf” and a “happy-go-lucky guy”.
Jody Vallely
September 23
The beautiful and strong young mum died in Cairns after battling an aggressive strain of cancer for years longer than doctors ever thought possible.
The mother-of-two packed a lifetime of adventure into her 38 years, but no achievement could top marrying the man of her dreams, Dan Vallely, and building a family with children Will, 5, and Olivia, 3
John Rumney
September 12
World-leading conservationist and “pioneer in thought and actions,” John Rumney is remembered for his unwavering dedication to the preservation of the Great Barrier Reef.
Mr Rumney, who passed away peacefully aged 71, was often referred to as the “David Attenborough” of the reef, such was his passion for the global icon.
Dottie Darwen
August 23
Dottie Darwen, the “Queen of the Barbary Coast”, for 22 consecutive years held the fore at the Criterion Hotel and then spent the next almost 35 years at the Stratford Hotel and the Railway Hotel.
In 2014, at 90, she became the longest continuous working barmaid in Australia.
Dottie died aged 95 in Cairns Hospital on August 23 and was farewelled privately.
Veronica Holden
August
Veronica ‘Ronnie’ Holden has been remembered as a tireless community volunteer who championed the strong link between community engagement, the environment and wellbeing. She was a founding member of the Johnstone River Community Gardens, planting one of the original trees in the orchard section at the gardens opening on World Environment Day, 2010.
Emma Bryant
August 16
Greyhound trainer Emma Bryant was considered “the heart and soul” and driving force behind the industry in FNQ.
The 10-time winner of the Cairns greyhound Trainer of the Year had battled cancer for some time.
“Emma was a vocal advocate for Greyhound Racing in Northern Queensland and added strength to the industry,” the Queensland Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association said in a statement.
Ms Bryant held a longstanding association with the Cairns Greyhound Racing Club, serving as president and committee member for more than 14 years until its doors closed in 2018.
Ms Bryant won her first Cairns Trainer of the Year award in 1998, a crown she went on to claim more than 10 times, most recently in 2018.
Missy Clarkson
August 7
Missy Clarkson left an impression as “something of a superhero” to all the children who followed her leukaemia journey.
The 13-year-old had been fighting leukaemia for many years, endured a bone-marrow transplant and received more than 150 blood products, and was in remission back in 2018 before the illness took hold again.
Malanda State School principal Mark Allen has described Missy as “one of those really special kids”.
“From the very first time I met her she was smart and worldly and focused and so very kind to others,” Mr Allen said.
Bill Harris
July 3
Willian Joseph Harris first came to the Far North in 1974 when he was appointed assistant manager to John Buchanan of the Department of Aboriginal and Islander Affairs on Thursday Island.
He was promoted to manager at Lockhart River Aboriginal Community in 1975 and also worked at Yarrabah, Thursday Island for a second time, Brisbane briefly, and Townsville, which incorporated Palm Island.
He eventually settled in Hervey Bay where he lived until his death on July 3 at age 87.
A carpenter by trade, Bill’s passion for teaching people and helping the greater community was second to none. He is deeply missed by his family, especially his wife Barbara, who remains at their home in Hervey Bay.
Bill and Barbara also looked after foster children, with more than 500 children estimated to have walked the halls of the Harris family homes.
Lou Piccone
July 2
One of the most philanthropic and revered businessmen in the Far North, Lou Piccone died peacefully in his sleep after a lifetime of giving to the community, aged 86.
“He passed away peacefully at home with most of the family surrounding him,” son John Piccone said.
Following the funeral at St Therese’s Catholic Church, a convoy took to the road, travelling from the church to Gordonvale Cemetery, passing by Piccone’s IGA at Edmonton.
Melissa Nielsen
June 10
The death of beloved Cairns lawyer Melissa Nielsen sparked an outpouring of sympathy from the Cairns community, with family, friends and members of the business community offering condolences.
The advocate, mum and an “absolute lady”, Melissa Nielsen penned a heart-rending note to friends and family upon her terminal diagnosis of an inoperable glioma.
“I have lived a very blessed life; I married the man of my dreams (Roger ‘Rudy’ Nielsen), have three vivacious, gorgeous children, a purposeful career and have the best friends and family a girl could ask for,” Ms Nielsen wrote.
“Please look out for my babies and keep them in your village. Be sure to talk about their mum often.”
Mardi Mcdornan
July
The devoted mum, doting grandmother and talented artist, Mardi Mcdornan, 60, will forever be remembered as the “Queen of Machans Beach”.
Her son Ruben Mcdornan said the “larger than life” Mardi had touched the lives of those who knew her.
Frank Marino
June
One of the Far North’s best-known and hardest-working sugar cane pioneers died aged 96.
Frank Marino’s life was celebrated by friends and family and son Charlie Marino said his father was the hardest-working man he knew.
He worked as a shoemaker, tin smith and hairdresser, before a tough, but rewarding career in farming and development for Redlynch cane farmer.
Priscilla Mcfadzean
June 10
Priscilla Mcfadzean, 76, a passionate Indigenous health advocate and successful nurse, died at her residence and her son Sarde Mcfadzean, 43, was charged with her murder.
Brother-in-law John Thomas said it was a heartbreaking end to the life of an Indigenous woman’s success story.
“It’s very sad and very tragic,” Mr Thomas said.
Mr Thomas said Ms Mcfadzean was highly professional in her job, which included a stint with Queensland Health.
Allan ‘Cookie’ Cook
May
Boatie Allan Cook, 59, fell into Dickson Inlet after suffering a medical episode. Police believe he was swept away by the rising tide.
“It’s just so sad,” his best mate of over 20 years and fellow boatie Garry D. White said.
“He was adamant he wanted to live on his boat but his health was going downhill.”
George Sachlikidis
April 20
Part of the fabric of the coastal city he came to adopt, George Sachlikidis, fondly known as The Prawn Man, died at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown with few able to reminisce and celebrate his interesting and unusual life.
“George was well known by the cast-netting fraternity, as well as local residents,” said his son, Chris Sachlikidis.
For more than 30 years, Mr Sachlikidis made a ritual of casting his net at the Cairns Esplanade, fishing for prawns and barramundi.
Carl Cook
April
An outpouring of grief and community support followed the death of Cairns mental health advocate Carl Cook, 47.
“Always a giver”, the talented artisan operated Carl’s Creations, a bespoke jewellery business and recently started a support group called Doppler Care, offering mental health support and coaching during the coronavirus pandemic.
Madison Tam
April 6
Madison Tam, 18, was swimming with friends at the Devil’s Pool area of the Babinda Boulders on April 6 when she was pulled under the “chute” area of the pools.
“Madison through her own way left an everlasting footprint at our college, and she was a real light to everyone around her,” St Mary’s Catholic College principal Wayne Wood said in tribute.
Steven Landsberg
April
Two Cairns school communities mourned the death of popular sports teacher Steven Landsberg, 46, who died at his Kewarra Beach home.
The father-of-one had been a physical education teacher at Trinity Beach State School for almost 20 years, while wife Natalie is a long-term teacher at Freshwater State School.
Principals from both schools paid tribute to Mr Landsberg.
“He was a highly respected and valued member of our staff who will be greatly missed by all his colleagues and students,” Trinity Beach State School principal Imogen Stager said.
Lockhart River plane crash
Wayne Ganter, Henry Roebig, Wayne Brischke, Stuart Wavell, Mark Rawlings
March 11
They were husbands, fathers, grandfathers, mates. Generous, kind, loyal, brave men who went to work never came home.
QBuild workers Wayne Ganter, 63, Henry Roebig, 62, and Wayne Brischke, 57, died in the Lockhart River plane crash with pilot Stuart Wavell, 36, and contractor Mark Rawlings, 49.
Son Jake described his dad Wayne Ganter, a father of three and grandfather of five, as “loyal, honest and hardworking”.
“He taught us to be conscientious and brave, and we know that’s how he would have been in his last moments.”
Friends of 49-year-old pest control contractor Mark Rawlings described him as “the life of the party”, an “amazing mate” and “a beautiful, loving, generous person”.
Father of two and grandfather Henry Roebig had a passion for the outdoors and travelling, was the third QBuild worker on the flight.
Far North man Wayne Brischke, 57, was a father of three and grandfather of two.
“QBuild staff and tradies are always there when Queenslanders need them most and their dedication to serving our community will not be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said.
Rob Koch
March 15
North Queensland racing identity Rob Koch was remembered as a passionate advocate for the horse racing industry and for his “vibrant personality”.
Close friends recalled Koch’s efforts to boost the racing industry across FNQ during his life.
The business figure was a was a Cairns Cup winner as an owner and the driving force behind the creation of the Magic Millions Up and Coming Stayers Series since its creation in 2014.
Barry Port
March 4
Renowned tracker Barry Port, 77, tragically died after suffering a heart attack.
Barry knew every corner of the Coen area in Cape York after spending his younger years working for various graziers in the region.
His death devastated the local community, along with the wider police community who worked alongside him and witnessed his uncanny ability.
Along with his role with the police, Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott remembered fondly Barry’s passion for a punt at the race tracks in Laura, Cooktown and Coen, when the town used to hold meets.
Peter Boundy
February 17
Shockwaves were sent through the Cairns dive industry with the death of the nearly 40-year industry veteran and director of the Cairns Dive Centre.
“He was absolutely one of the pioneers … it is a very sad day,” Down Under Dive managing director Peppi Iovanella said.
“He was well liked in the industry, so respected, so well liked by his peers,” he said.
“We have lost one of our own. I am lost for words. He helped established Cairns.”
John Harris
January 18
Tributes flowed for Far Northern legal identity and business leader John Harris who stepped in to save the Cairns Taipans from financial collapse.
The founder of Miller Harris Lawyers and business leader died at the age of 75.
He was remembered as a catalyst for change who helped shape a better future for Cairns.
Mayor Bob Manning paid tribute to Mr Harris as a “great mate” and likeable bloke.
Mr Harris was Cairns Port Authority deputy chairman and Mr Manning chief executive when they agreed to a one-off, lifesaving payment to the Taipans.
Miller Harris Partner Tim McGrath described Mr Harris as a “leader in law and business.”
“John had a great vision for Cairns and the region. His expertise and experience saw him engaged in most of the major projects in the region,” Mr McGrath said.
“He became a catalyst for positive change and helped to shape a better future for Cairns.”
Brian Norris
January 26
Far North Police honoured the life of a proud, resilient, strong and respected former police officer, Brian Norris, who at 86, died peacefully in Mossman Hospital.
Senior Constable Aleda Day of Mareeba said Mr Norris was a tireless, generous country cop.
“Brian Norris remained a proud member of the QPS family until the day he passed and is remembered fondly by current serving members,” Sn Const Day said.
Adrian Hicks
January 24
The best mate of Adrian Hicks, 61, who drowned at Millstream Creek, paid tribute to a careful and compassionate friend.
Mr Hicks grew up on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula and made the move north to the Atherton Tablelands five years ago.
Mr Walker remembered his mate as a gentle, considerate and cautious man.
“He was always willing to lend a hand, he was just a magnificent man,” his best mate, Will Walker, said.
Have you farewelled a loved one in 2020 and would like them to be included in our tribute list? Please send their details and a photograph to editorial@cairnspost.com.au
Originally published as Tributes to people the Far North lost in 2020
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