Former newspaper editor Steve Etwell passes away

The man who led the Toowoomba Chronicle from 2007 to 2021 has died suddenly. He has been remembered for his relentless pursuit of the truth and a passionate advocate for his community.

Former Chronicle editor Steve Etwell.

Former Editor of The Chronicle Steve Etwell passed away in his sleep, leaving behind a loving wife, two devoted sons and two grandchildren.

The son of a rail worker, Etwell had a passion for news, first taking a reporter job at the Mackay Daily Mercury before being promoted to sport editor at the Townsville Bulletin.

He loved the beach and as a young man he surfed and competed in triathlons.

In 1977 he married his high school sweetheart Meryl and they built a life together.

Etwell rose through the ranks of chief of staff at the Mackay Daily Mercury before taking on the editorship at the Rockhampton Morning Bulletin.

In 2007 the family moved to Toowoomba when Etwell took on the editorship of The Chronicle.

During his time in the Garden City, Etwell cemented his reputation as a fierce defender of the community’s interests who never backed down from a fight.

Steve Etwell and with his former Deputy Editor John Farmer. Photo Bev Lacey / The Chronicle

His former deputy editor at The Chronicle and current deputy editor at The Courier-Mail John Farmer said Etwell was tough, relentless and fearless.

“He always stood up for his community and was ruthless in his pursuit of the truth – he refused to back down when he considered an injustice was being done,” Mr Farmer said.

“As a boss and a leader, he put incredible trust in his journalists.

“He always had my back and I consider him a great mentor who was influential in shaping my career in journalism.

“Not only was Steve my boss, he was my mate.

“We spent way too much time together on the golf course or at Fitzy’s on a Friday afternoon.”

Etwell was a mentor to many and his passing has touched the hundreds of reporters, designers, sub editors, photographers and support staff who have worked at the Chronicle over the past two decades.

Former digital producer Meghan Bryant came to the Chronicle fresh out of university and spent most of her 20s working alongside Etwell.

“He had such a big impact on my life during and I don’t know if he even realised,” she said.

“Everything I achieved in my career, I put down to him, everything I got to experience during my time working for him was thanks to him pushing me and guiding me.”

Etwell was known to be an early riser and was always one of the first people through the door each day.

“He was often silly and joked around before the hard work of the day began,” Ms Bryant said.

Former Editor of The Chronicle Steve Etwell ready to board the first flight from Wellcamp to Sydney. Photo: Bev Lacey.

Growing up in a working-class family, Etwell had a passion for advocating for the powerless and holding our leaders to account.

Added to this was an irreverent sense of humour that ruffled feathers and tickled funny bones in equal measure.

Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald paid tribute to Etwell’s tenacity.

“Our community has lost a great veteran of the news industry,” he said.

“Steve Etwell will be remembered for the significant contribution he made to regional media, and his passion and love of our region.

“His legacy will be his belief that news is an avenue of hope for those who sometimes fall between the cracks.”

Etwell battled several major health complications towards the end of his career, leading to an early retirement in 2021.

His successor as The Chronicle’s editor, Jordan Philp, said Etwell was unwavering in his news coverage.

“Steve deeply understood the need for a masthead to be an unapologetic advocate for the community it serves,” he said

“He led the newsroom to campaign to make Toowoomba a better place to live.”

While Etwell lived a very public life, the greatest joy was the role he considered the most important, as that of ‘Poppy’ to his two grandchildren, Eric and Millie.

Close friend and Chronicle columnist Greg Johnson said he would miss his mate.

“I met Steve at Gabbinbar Homestead, at one of those Carnival of Flowers Mayoral Breakfasts, ten or so years ago,” he said

“I had started as CEO of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce and ongoing publicity was what I had on my mind for the institution.

“Instead, I ended up with my very best friend.”

Former News Corp regional editor-in-chief Bryce Johns said Toowoomba was a better city for having Etwell as its editor for 14 years.

“You need two things to be a great regional news editor – care for journalism and care for your community – and Steve Etwell had both in spades,” Mr Johns said.

“It made him a great asset to not only the companies he worked for as editor in Toowoomba, Mackay and elsewhere, but a leading community builder for those city’s residents.”

Sadly Etwell passed away in his sleep, at home in Toowoomba on Tuesday.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years Meryl, his two sons Shannon and Jamie, and his grandchildren Eric and Millie.

Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration at Burstow’s Chapel, 1020 Ruthven St, Toowoomba. Service starts at 9.30am, December 12.