Luke O’Brien farewelled with emotional Mackay funeral

Luke ‘The Mullet’ O’Brien, a beloved larrikin and Speedway racer killed in a tragic mining incident, is being remembered as a “loyal bloke... always good for a laugh” and quick to raid your fridge for a beer.

Luke O'Brien's mother Yvette receiving a comforting hug from Morgan Miles, Mr O'Brien's partner, during his funeral service on Friday, February 2, 2024. In the background is Luke's brother Chae O'Brien,, sister Krystall O'Brien, and father Terry O'Brien.

Luke ‘The Mullet’ Arthur O’Brien is being remembered as a “loyal bloke” who was “always good for a laugh” and quick to raid your fridge for a beer.

The beloved 27-year-old was farewelled by family and friends at a funeral service on Friday afternoon at New Life Church in North Mackay.

Mr O’Brien died in a tragic workplace incident at BMA’s Saraji mine on January 15 after his body was crushed between a ute and a fuel tanker.

His partner of six years, Morgan Miles, said Luke was her “everything” from her “best friend” to her “lover”, “shit stirrer” and “whole damn heart”.

“To us it already felt like we were married,” Ms Miles said.

“We didn’t need a wedding to tell us otherwise but Luke was looking forward to it and I’m sure it wasn’t just because of the bar tab.”

Luke O'Brien with his partner of six years, Morgan Miles. Picture: Facebook

Ms Miles said they shared myriad adventures in their “six short years” together as they “lived fast”, “played hard”, and “loved absolutely”.

Luke’s mother Yvette said her son entered the world in Ayr on July 12, 1996, “the same way he liked to race his cars: very fast”.

Mrs O’Brien said Luke got his first motorbike at four years old - a Peewee 50 for Christmas, sharing a memory of her husband Terry dashing up and down the driveway as their son “twisted the throttle to maximum again and again”.

Luke’s passion for motorsports never waned as he and his father went on to race motorbikes across Queensland, and Luke and his brother Chae found a passion for the speedway.

Loved ones of Luke O'Brien farewelled the enthusiastic racer during a touching funeral service in Mackay on Friday, February 2, 2024.

Chae shared his “big, baby brother” always roused on him for leaving out the tools but he was going to miss Luke’s opinions on his racing, which came freely whether his brother could make it to the track or not.

Laps have been held in Luke’s honour at recent Speedway events in Rockhampton and Kingaroy.

Growing up, Luke attended Mackay West State School and then Mackay State High School where he was accepted into the Rugby League Academy and began a school-based “diesel” apprenticeship.

He then finished his trade at Hail Creek mine before working at Goonyella, Riverside, Poitrel and Saraji South mines.

Saraji South supervisor Red Senior said Luke had a work ethic rare for someone his age.

“As soon as Luke started with us, he took ownership of the old machinery,” Red said.

“It’s not the newest gear and it definitely has to be babied but being old Cat equipment, which Luke loved working on, he took ownership.

“No fault would get the better of Luke, he would keep at it until he nutted it out … if Luke turned up to a breakdown with his trailer, you knew the machine was going to be fixed or at least diagnosed … rest in peace mate, you’ll be missed but never forgotten.”

Luke O'Brien tragically died after he was pinned between a ute and B Double fuel tanker at Saraji mine on January 15, 2024. Picture: Facebook

Mrs O’Brien said along with Luke’s enthusiasm for all things with an engine, he also loved food and they would often cook together in the kitchen.

It was through cooking that Luke helped create fond memories for many of his mates, as his best friend and former roommate Leon Townes testified.

Mr Townes said they struggled to keep the house tidy and so they decided “every Friday to get drunk and clean”.

“Now this was good in theory but this left us both in the state that we were stuck home after so Luke would cook his mother’s famous creamy penne chicken pasta and we’d invite our friends over for dinner,” he said.

Mr Townes said guests were subjected to their drunken “unsolicited relationship advice” but soon enough pasta nights were a tradition as “people kept turning up”.

But when Luke first turned up with Morgan at her brother’s house, Corey Miles’ first impression was his sister was dating a “hillbilly bogan”.

“But boy was I wrong and that’s clear as day now when you look around this room and see how many people's hearts Luke touched … I want to thank you for making my sister the happiest girl in the world, I will never be able to repay you … we will see you again brother but ‘til then give heaven some hell,” Mr Miles said.

“Here’s to you Lukey, you true blue f--king legend.”

Originally published as Luke O’Brien farewelled with emotional Mackay funeral