Beloved Cherbourg community elder Uncle Bevan Costello farewelled at funeral

Queensland’s Premier and a celebrity musician were among hundreds to today celebrate the remarkable life of Uncle Bevan Costello, who worked tirelessly and with “great integrity” for his beloved Cherbourg.

Warning: This story contains the name and photo of an Indigenous person who has died.

Hundreds from around the state flooded to St Joseph’s Catholic Church on Friday to celebrate the rich and inspirational life of Uncle Bevan Costello, who fought tirelessly for the community he loved and believed in.

Uncle Bevan was well-known throughout the South Burnett for trying to create positive change in Cherbourg, never shying away from helping those who needed it most , all the while never losing his light sense of humour and fun.

“There was always something silly that would happen to him, or that he would create. He enjoyed life, which is important,” Warren Collins Senior said as he read the eulogy. 

Hundreds attend St Joseph’s Catholic Church to farewell Uncle Bevan Costello.

Uncle Bevan was passionate about justice and sat as a JP magistrate on the Cherbourg Murri Court, where he helped magistrates gain insight into the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who came before the court.

He was also a member of the Queensland Sentencing Advisory Council and chaired the Barambah Local Justice Group.

“His social and community legacy is a immeasurable. It's not what you take when you leave this world, it’s what you leave behind,” Mr Collins said.

“Bevan was a man who worked tirelessly and with great integrity to make a positive contribution to his community and society in general.”

Hundreds attend St Joseph's Catholic Church to farewell Uncle Bevan Costello.

Uncle Bevan worked in education for more than 30 years, starting as a teacher’s aid at Murgon State High School and climbing the ladder through Education Queensland to become Principal at the Silver Lining School in the South Burnett.

He was also a founding member of Cherbourg’s Ration Shed museum.

Evident by a sea of Cherbourg Hornets jerseys present in the church, the star footy player also represented Queensland in Rugby League.

Father Bryan Pipins, who officiated the service alongside Father Gerry Hefferan and Father Michael Carroll, said this was the time to reflect on Uncle Bevan’s life and the “gifts he’s given to his community, his family and his friends”.

Hundreds attend St Joseph's Catholic Church to farewell Uncle Bevan Costello.

Many paid respects to Uncle Bevan through video tributes played during the service.

These were sent in by former MSHS principal Brian King, former MSHS teacher Greg Smith, Renee Kyle from the Department of Justice and Attorney-General Queensland, Pastor Max Conlon, Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Elvie Sandow, Bruce Simpson, as well as a beautiful tribute from his children Michael, Ricky, Ian, Bevan (Jnr), Alicia, Christopher, Leighton, Joshua.

“Uncle Bevan was the kind of person that involved himself in whatever he could do for his community, and brought boundless energy to each of those endeavours,” Ms Kyle said.

“He was and is highly respected by magistrates, court staff and his fellow Murri Court and Community Justice Group elders for his extensive knowledge of culture and passion to provide opportunities to his people.

“He was a person that could bring both leadership to our work and someone who could make the whole room laugh.”

Hundreds attend St Joseph's Catholic Church to farewell Uncle Bevan Costello.

Cherbourg CEO Chatur Zala also read a letter from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk addressed to Bevan’s wife, Dorothy Costello.

“Uncle Bevan is remembered as a passionate champion for Cherbourg and his community and a remarkable Queenslander who touched many lives,” the letter read.

“Your family should be tremendously proud of his many achievements.”

Hundreds attend St Joseph's Catholic Church to farewell Uncle Bevan Costello.

Celebrity musician Dennis ‘Mop’ Conlon from Mop & The Dropouts said his “funny” friend played a huge role in where he is today, always pushing him forward in his life and career.

Mop performed an untitled song for Uncle Bevan, which he said took him two days to write because he was “still stunned” by the devastating loss.

The

South Burnett Times extends our heartfelt condolences and thoughts to all who are impacted by his death.

s extends our heartfelt condolences and thoughts to all who are impacted by his death.

Originally published as Beloved Cherbourg community elder Uncle Bevan Costello farewelled at funeral