Llew O'Brien (Wide Bay, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Kilkivan farewelled their oldest resident when my old mate Gordon Hugh McGill passed away, aged 97. Gordon grew up on a cattle property at Cinnabar, where he developed a love of the land. His mum passed away when he was 15, and his father had glaucoma, so Gordon carried a lot of responsibility in the family.

Gordon and his wife, Shirley, raised their five kids at Cinnabar and were happily married for more than 50 years before Shirely passed away in 2006. In 2012, Gordon moved to Kilkivan where he made many friends who remember him as a true gentleman with a beautiful heart. Gordon was a leading member of local branch of the United Graziers' Association. He experimented with different types of grasses and crops, went to war against invasive weeds and was an early pioneer of artificial insemination in a quest to develop a short-haired cattle breed for our climate.

Gordon was also a generous supporter of the Liberal National Party. He was always ready to help and to put on a smile at the polling booths while he was handing out how-to-vote cards. Gordon will be deeply missed. He was a great man. Whenever you saw Gordon walking around Kilkivan, he always had a kind word for you and some form of positive reassurance. He was a beautiful human being. Rest in peace, Gordon.

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