Toowoomba stalwart Clive Armitage’s sudden passing rocks community

The sudden passing of Toowoomba property developer and entrepreneur Clive Armitage has left friends and family heartbroken as community leaders pay tribute to a man “whose legacy will continue to inspire”.

Clive Armitage, one of Toowoomba’s most prominent businessman, has died. Photo: Regi Varghese

One of Toowoomba’s greatest entrepreneurs has died suddenly aged in his early 80s, leaving those who knew him well shattered by the news.

Often referred to as ‘Mr McDonald’s’ for having established the first golden arches in the city, Clive Armitage was an unassuming businessman whose generosity was spread far and wide across the Darling Downs.

Clive and Conchita Armitage with Jan Johnson (right) at the Toowoomba Hospice 20th Anniversary Gala Dinner at Oaks Toowoomba, Saturday, July 1, 2023. Picture: Kevin Farmer

McDonald’s was only the beginning of Mr Armitage’s business endeavours, slowly building an empire of commercial and residential developments around the region.

Mr Armitage was steadfast in working with police and community leaders in the fight to end youth crime, sharing his own experience during the Toowoomba Community Safety Forum at the Empire Theatre in February last year.

His great passion for the arts saw The Empire Theatre honour the philanthropist's efforts in 2014, naming their then newly constructed black box theatre the ‘Armitage Centre’.

Toowoomba Region mayor Geoff McDonald said the generosity of both Mr Armitage and his wife Conchita to our region will never be forgotten.

“Our region is the beneficiary of the incredible generosity of Clive and Conchita Armitage and our thoughts are with Conchita and the family at this sad time with the loss of Clive,” he said.

“Clive had a passion for providing opportunity for our youth, he brought the first McDonald’s Restaurant to Toowoomba in the 1970s and provided employment for hundreds of youth over the decades.

“Some families are now in their second and third generations working at McDonald’s.

“Clive’s significant financial contribution to the Empire Theatre Foundation has provided the opportunity for youth to develop their performing arts.

“Thank you Clive for having a hugely positive influence on many lives, your generosity and passion of our city and region will never be forgotten.”

Official opening of the new building, The Armitage Centre, at the Empire Theatre. September 8, 2014. Conchita and Clive Armitage. Photo: Bev Lacey / The Chronicle

Devastated by the loss of his dear friend, Member for Groom Garth Hamilton said the great entrepreneur played a vital role in shaping not only who he was as a politician, but also as a person.

“He was a man of huge conviction and I feel very lucky to have known him well,” Mr Hamilton said.

“The biggest lesson he taught me was learning to believe in yourself.

“I’m still in shock, he really was a great man and a dear friend.”

The reaches of his generosity knew no bound, extending his philanthropic efforts to the likes of Cobb+Co Museum among a number of organisations in the community.

Conchita and Clive Armitage at the launch of the start of construction of the National Carriage Museum at Cobb and Co, 09 July 2009. Photo Kevin Farmer / The Chronicle

Queensland Museum Cobb+Co director Steve Cooper extended his greatest condolences to Mr Armitage’s family.

“On behalf of Queensland Museum Cobb+Co, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Clive’s family,” he said.

“Clive’s unparalleled contributions to the museum will forever be remembered and cherished.

“His legacy will continue to inspire us all and he will be greatly missed.”

Toowoomba Region councillor Gary Gardner and Mr Armitage’s neighbour for the past 25 years, joined in the shock of learning the great entrepreneur had passed.

“It really came as quite a shock, he was only mowing the lawn the last time I saw him,” he said.

“He was a very generous person, always the first to stick his hand up to help out, and there was never a bad word spoken between us in the 25 years we’ve been neighbours.”