Stephen Gregg to be farewelled at Sunshine Beach surf club

Details on Noosa resident and tourism titan Stephen Gregg’s memorial have been confirmed, as his family share a touching tribute to the “remarkable” stalwart.

Queensland tourism giant Stephen Gregg’s family has confirmed he will be farewelled at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club.

Mr Gregg, who spent more than 40 years as a prominent figure in the tourism industry, passed away aged 73 at his Sunshine Beach home on September 15, 2022 after an eight-year battle with cancer.

Daughter Emma Gregg described her late father as an “incredibly positive person” who was “always having a joke or a laugh”.

“He was quiet but entirely present … he was someone who didn’t need to be the centre of attention but people were very drawn to him and when he was around, he was the person you wanted to be talking to,” she said.

“He had a great sense of humour … and always saw the best in people and in situations. Every day he would strive for positivity.”

Stephen Gregg loved surfing, and spent his teenage years travelling to Noosa to surf. Picture: Supplied

She and her siblings would forever remember spending their childhoods “seeing the best of what Australia had to offer”, thanks to her father’s work.

“We looked up to him from a young age … he was just such an incredible supporter of everything we ever wanted to do in our lives, and it’s been the same for his grandchildren as well,” she said.

“He was a pretty remarkable person”.

Stephen Gregg passed away at his Sunshine Beach home on September 15 after an eight-year battle with cancer. Picture: Supplied

She said her father “loved nature” and had a passion for sport; something he instilled in his four children.

He was one of the “original surf kids on the coast”, she said, often visiting Noosa as a teenager in the 1970s to make the most of the beautiful beaches.

In 2010, after Mr Gregg retired, he and his wife would permanently relocate to Sunshine Beach, where the family confirmed he will be farewelled on Tuesday, September 27.

Stephen Gregg and fellow surfers at the Sunshine Coast in the 70s. Picture: Supplied

A memorial will be held at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club at 10.30am on Tuesday, September 27; which coincides with World Tourism Day.

Anyone is welcome to attend.

“Sunshine Beach was his backyard … it’s ingrained in who dad really is,” Ms Gregg said.

“He was just a really, really proud local resident up here.”

Finer details on the memorial are yet to be confirmed, but several other key figures in the industry are expected to attend and saw a few words about Mr Gregg.

Originally published as Stephen Gregg to be farewelled at Sunshine Beach surf club