Much-loved former mayor Kevin Byrne farewelled
One of the Far North’s most influential and respected sons has been honoured at a final farwell before a full house at the St Monica’s Cathedral.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of the Far North’s most influential and respected sons has been honoured at a final farwell before a full house at the St Monica’s Cathedral.
Kevin Michael Byrne died last Thursday, aged 74.
City leaders, family, friends, old army mates and admirers of what the man achieved during two stints as mayor, chief executive of Advance Cairns and founder of Enterprise North arrived at the cathedral on Friday morning.
Eulogising his friend, Fred White recounted Mr Byrne’s involvement in a battle during the Vietnam War in July 1971, when Second Lieutenant Byrne leading the 4th Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment, came under heavy enemy fire.
“Pinned down by enemy fire and despite the intense fire Second Lieutenant Byrne continually exposed himself to lead and encourage his men,” he said.
“Throughout the engagement … (he displayed) great personal courage and by his skilful use of supporting armour, the steadiness and professional competence in a critical situation he significantly contributed to the successful outcome of the battle.”
Following the Vietnam War Mr Byrne served in Malaysia, Singapore, and Zimbabwe before returning to Papua New Guinea to be part of the founding staff at PNG Joint Services College in Lae.
He was then seconded to a staff appointment at the PNG Defence Force where he served under the inaugural commander of the force.
In 1977 Mr Byrne returned to Australia to continue his military career, which included a number of regimental operations, training and administrative appointments prior to his resignation from the Australian Army in 1980.
Mr White proudly told mourners of a quote from Mr Byrne that graces the entrance to Vietnam War hall at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
“It reads ‘I’ve got this platoon out here and if I don’t do my job, we might all get bloody well killed,’ a quote that I’m sure resonates with all here who knew Kevin,” he said.
“It was to the point and it also contains that sense of duty and responsibility that Kevin carried with him.
“He had an enduring respect for authority but held to account those that held those positions.”
It was when relocating to Cairns, after being recruited by the Queensland Government to work for the Northern Regional Development organisation, that Mr Byrne developed his passion for regional and community leadership.
“He went on to serve a total of 11 years as mayor of Cairns establishing a successful Unity Team and thus making him the second longest serving mayor in the city’s history,” Mr White said.
“Affectionately known as KB, he was constantly either being stopped in the street for comment or engaged on either side of politics on local state or federal matters.
“Why you may ask? The answer lies, I’m sure, in the way Kevin remains across a multitude of issues at all levels, and most certainly in the fact that he was someone who always played the issue rather than the man.”
After his 17-year military career, Mr Byrne was elected as the City of Cairns mayor for the first time in 1992.
He was deposed after one tern by Tom Pyne in 1995 in the first election under an amalgamated of Cairns City and Mulgrave Shire councils.
Mr Byrne left Cairns to work in Russia and as executive in the Papua New Guinean aviation and tourism industries before returning to contest the mayorship in 2000, when he was successful in wresting the position back from Tom Pyne.
Mr Byrne’s daughter Isabel Byrne delivered a moving eulogy and shared treasured childhood memories.
“I grew up with a steadfast and unrelenting example of values and conviction,” she said.
“As he shaped a city, he shaped me and to me, he was dad.”
Ms Byrne said her old man had a love of cricket and rugby and his exuberant spectatorship of sport was easily transferred to mayoral duties when watching stage shows at the Cairns Civic Theatre.
“His favourite time of day was driving me to school, where I had an early introduction to world affairs in Australian politics by (the) ABC AM (program) at eight o’clock,” she said.
“My fondest memories are sitting in my primary school classrooms at TAS waiting for three o’clock.
“I know when it was dad coming to pick me up because I’d see him out the window coming around the corner and as an eight-year-old, I joked that I’d see his tummy first, and the rest of him would catch up a little while later.
“I had a wonderful childhood and over the last week, I’ve reflected on how well dad balanced both the responsibilities of the city.”
Ms Byrne said her father leaves behind a vibrant, cohesive and resilient Cairns, in part created through her dad’s hard work.
“I’m proud of my father in awe of his vision and inspired by his deep commitment to progress,” she said.
“And behind every leader is a very intricate support system, so today I also acknowledge his wife of over 30 years, an esteemed mayoress, and my mother, Amanda.
“Dad would not have achieved what he did for Cairns without the equal commitment and support from dear friends here.”
Maureen Pilcher, Mr Byrne’s youngest sister, described an idyllic life growing up on Papua New Guinea ‘s Manus Island, diving, spearing fish and teaching the natives to play cricket.
“Kevin, you achieved so much. And went everywhere in the world,” she said in her eulogy.
“You were charismatic, hardworking, and generous.
“But ultimately you were an always the adored and funny uncle.
“I understand and understood always that the words extremely tough or insufficient to describe the last years of your life’s challenges.
“I want to say thank you for my deep thanks actually to the medical team who swung into action to help you.”
Cairns MP Michael Healy was among a long list of city leaders who came to pay their respects.
Mr Healy said the city had lost a great thinker.
“He wanted the best for our community,” he said.
“I had an interesting relationship with him, he was a fire and brimstone kind of guy.
“Public office is not easy, but he did it and he did it for quite some time.”
Mr Byrne was the most dearly loved father of Isabel, loved brother and brother-in-law of Maureen and David Pilcher, Peter and Antonella Byrne and the adored uncle of Belinda, Nicola, Jonny and Ilha.
Following the service Mr Byrne was laid to rest at the Forest View Memorial Park Lawn Cemetery, Mt Sheridan.
More Coverage
Originally published as Much-loved former mayor Kevin Byrne farewelled
Join the conversation
‘Broader questions need to be asked’: MP on troubled mental health unit
Outstanding information on “procedures” at Cairns Hospital’s mental health unit will help determine additional safety needs for staff, after the recent allocation of static security.
Read more
Feds ‘keeping an eye on’ missing Cairns water funds
The federal government’s “responsible budget management” leading to a second straight surplus is yet to find room for Cairns’ water security project as cost of living relief takes priority.
Read more