Lyall Robert Ford, Mackay author, historian, and Castle Hill Saint engineer dies
One of the legends behind Townsville’s Castle Hill Saint has been remembered for his rich life as an engineer, Mackay historian and author.
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An avid historian partly responsible for an iconic Townsville landmark has sadly died, leaving two communities in mourning.
Dr Lyall Robert Ford, one of the men who painted the ‘Saint’ on Castle Hill in Townsville, passed away on January 12, 2025 aged 80.
Born in 1944, Lyall Ford grew up in Walkerston and was the dux of Mackay State High School.
He went on to study civil engineering on a Main Roads scholarship at the University College of Townsville, which would later become James Cook University.
While at university Dr Ford left his mark on Townsville — a secret kept for 57 years.
On March 17, 1962, a group of university students braved Castle Hill in a daring night time operation to paint a white figure on the rock face, now known as the Castle Hill Saint.
The seven men, aided by Dr Ford’s engineering knowledge, managed to rig together the chair from which it was painted.
The men remained tight lipped about who did the actual painting for decades but broke their silence and collectively claimed credit in 2019.
Dr Ford’s son, Miles Ford said his father never made a big deal out of his work on the Saint and the group would have kept their identities a secret, but someone else claimed credit.
“That got a bee in his bonnet big time,” Miles said.
“All the guys got together and said ‘we’ll write a book just to prove it’.”
The book A History of the Townsville Saint was the fruits of the groups combined effort and was released in 2022.
After graduating from university, Dr Ford returned to Mackay to work with the Main Roads Department, travelling across Queensland with time in Barcaldine, Cloncurry, Brisbane, Emerald and Cairns.
He even journeyed to England to work as a civil engineering contractor for 18 months during the 1970s.
In 1974 he married Penny Ford and together they had four children, and nine grandchildren.
In 1977, the death of his father spurred Dr Ford to dig into his family history, sparking a love for the field.
He published a number of books on Mackay and Queensland, contributed to the Mackay Daily Mercury, joined the Mackay Historical Society and finished a doctorate in history at CQU.
Miles said he never understood his father's fascination with Mackay.
“He always had this massive heart for Mackay we never shared, he was absolutely passionate about the place,” Miles said.
“That was something as kids we didn’t really understand.”
Miles said they will cherish the family history books for generations.
“All those books of our family are going to be there for grandkids, great grandkids are going to be able to have not just little mementos but detailed stories of where their ancestors came from and what they did,” he said.
Miles said his father had been very quiet about his battle with melanoma.
“We’re sad that we’ve lost him and he will be missed,” Miles said.
Miles remembered Lyall played “cricket, soccer, swings and chase” outside with him and his siblings every day after he came home from work.
“He enjoyed playing board games and cards and loved playing with his children and then his grandchildren … especially boggle.”
Lyall’s younger brother Warwick Ford, 74, fondly remembers acting as the helper on the train set they built together.
With Lyall doing the bulk of the work and Warwick making “a smaller contribution” they created a train set so impressive it was displayed at the Mackay Show one year.
Warwick said if Lyall were there today he’d tell him “what a marvellous brother he’d been”.
“He’s my big brother, he took care of me... I had total respect for him,” Warwick said.
Robert Sothman was Dr Ford’s co-conspirator on the Saint, along with his neighbour and childhood friend.
He said Dr Ford — who was also the best man at his wedding — was “a pretty smart man”, and encouraged people to read the book about their exploits.
“I spoke to him two and a half, maybe, three months ago now and he seemed all right then,” Mr Sothman said.
“I was a bit surprised he was no longer with us.”
Alwyn Simple first met Dr Ford 75 years ago at West Mackay Primary School.
“You were the youngest in our class and grade and I was second youngest,” Mr Simple said.
“ You were an achiever my friend … you were an adventurer who also loved nature.
“Farewell but your memory goes on with me.”
Mackay region councillor Nathenea MacRae gave her condolences to the friends, family and acquaintances of Dr Ford.
“Lyall was a well known local historian and author and published many books re: The History of Mackay & Surrounds, 101 Ways to Improve Your Health and a great read about how he and his mates painted The Saint on Castle Hill in Townsville over 60 years ago,” Ms MacRae said.
“Until we meet again.”
Friends and family are respectfully invited to attend Lyall’s Funeral service on Monday, January 20 at St Charles Anglican Church, West Mackay from 1:00pm.
He will be laid to rest at Walkerston cemetery.
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Originally published as Lyall Robert Ford, Mackay author, historian, and Castle Hill Saint engineer dies
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