Meet the man behind the BBQ: Derek Tuffield gives final words of wisdom as Lifeline CEO

Derek Tuffield has reflected on his time in the top job after 34 years with Lifeline Darling Downs, including more than 21 years as the loveable ‘go-to’ CEO.

NEXT CHAPTER: Derek Tuffield at home with his wife Rosemerry and cats Moomoo (left) and Simba as the Lifeline Darling Downs CEO announces his retirement after 34 great years with the organisation. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Most people probably recognise Derek Tuffield better behind a barbecue than an office desk, but after celebrating 34 years with Lifeline this week the cherished CEO is hanging up the apron and tongs at the end of this year.

Lifeline Darling Downs CEO Derek Tuffield has announced his retirement. Mr Tuffield is photographed at home with his 14-year-old cat Moomoo. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“After more than 21 wonderful years in the role, I felt the time had come to hand over the reins to a new leader who can continue to expand Lifeline’s services and deliver support to as many people as possible,” Mr Tuffield said.

“When I left the banking sector to first join Lifeline as a business administrator in 1987, our Hodgson St building didn’t even have an enclosed toilet inside the building – to see how far we’ve come is extraordinary.”

Mr Tuffield said Toowoomba and the Darling Downs had changed a great deal since he first arrived as a young banker at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia 40 years ago.

“When we first moved here, there was only a very small refugee population in Toowoomba,” he said.

“Now we are one of the top five refugee settlements in Australia, which is something I think we should be very proud of.”

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Despite the heartbreak and devastation the 2011 floods brought to the region, Mr Tuffield said the disaster also brought out one of the biggest nationwide relief efforts.

“The donations were rolling in by the semi-trailer load from as far as Bunbury in Western Australia,” he said.

“We had five warehouses filled to the brim with donations which took two years of processing to distribute to all of the victims.

“It was a truly remarkable thing to witness, and the country’s generosity is something I will remember for many years to come.”

Derek Tuffield taking a work call at home with his wife Rosemerry, following the Lifeline Darling Downs CEO’s recent announcement. Mr Tuffield said one of the hardest parts of the role is having to tell some people he doesn’t have a magic want that can fix every problem, admitting these are the issues that come home with him at the end of the day. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Now 66, Mr Tuffield said it was the volunteers and fellow Lifeline employees who made the Darling Downs and South West Queensland organisation what it was today.

“We wouldn’t be where we are without our incredible volunteers like Thea Horner, who is 87 years old and our longest serving volunteer, and has been around four years longer than I have,” he said.

“We also have a 92-year-old volunteer who still gives up her time to help out and is an inspiration to us all.”

Derek Tuffield at home with his wife Rosemerry and 13-year-old cat Simba. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Well known for his memorable sayings and wise words, Mr Tuffield said this time he’d be taking his own piece of advice. “Every horse runs its course, you have to know when to move on and tackle a new challenge in life, and this is my time to step back and let the next generation start running the show,” he said.

The soon-to-be retiree said he was eager to remain involved with both Southern Queensland Rural Health and the Toowoomba Flexi School and hoped to improve his self-confessed abysmal handicap on the golf course.

An avid car enthusiast, Mr Tuffield said he plans to use some of his free time to restore his latest project, a 1971 Triumph 2000. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“I’m still passionate about assisting Toowoomba’s youth wherever I can and plan to carry on chairing meetings as efficiently as ever,” he said. “I’m looking forward to ­helping train up and transition the new CEO and introducing them to all of our stakeholders across the Downs with the plan to wrap things up in November or December.”

Whoever the new leader is, Mr Tuffield wanted to impart one more piece of sage advice.

“Celebrate the small achievements,” he said.

“At the end of it all, it’s not the big things that make your career, it’s the little everyday things, places and local people who make every day count that always matter the most.”

Derek Tuffield with his retirement restoration project, a 1971 Triumph 2000. Picture: Kevin Farmer