Vale George O’Brien OAM
The family of George O’Brien OAM asked me to provide a community tribute at his funeral held on Wednesday 19 March 2025. It was privilege to do so and the following are the words I spoke in his honour;
I’ve given a lot of speeches over the past two decades as a broader community leader, and even just over the past 13 years as Councillor there’s been lots of public addresses and events where I’ve been asked to say a few words. But I’ve never been so anxious, or honoured, to be given an opportunity to speak about the community contribution of an individual, about whom I cared so deeply, and who I esteemed with the utmost respect. I only knew George for a decade or so, but many of you knew him for much longer so I do hope my words do your memory of him justice.
Denise, and family, thank you for asking me to speak today about George in the community.
George was a giant of our area, a true gentleman, and a man not just of uplifting and helpful words, but a man of action, who got his hands dirty and got his heart broken, at times like all leaders, as he served others to make our community better. I know George would reflect positively that the occasional heartbreak was worth it for the wonderful successes that peppered George’s contribution to our community over so many years.
George was a much-loved Principal at Mudgeeraba State School. Others will tell stories of that first hand, as students or parents, but my recollection was the comments made to me by strangers, filled with love as people regularly reflected on his contribution in their lives, sometimes surprised that George even remembered their names often many years after graduation had passed. As a school teacher and education leader, George transformed lives and provided a lasting legacy to our community.
George was a committed member of the Lions Club for over 50 years, and quite a few decades here in Mudgeeraba. He was involved in countless initiatives of that club, and I remember being regaled as a newly signed up Lion of many of the projects he had led or participated in. But perhaps the most memorable to me, and many Lions of Mudgeeraba, was the words of the songs he wrote. It’s not known by many, but Mudgeeraba Lions is a singing club and their song book is full of words of old standards with adjusted words edifying and lifting up members who had reached membership milestones or achieved something wonderful, or just words about the uniqueness of the Mudgeeraba area. George was a poet, and his poetry lifted the whole community up, when he recited his own work, or that of a contemporary. George’s poetry provided a lasting legacy to our community.
George was a musician. Of course, he participated in the Hinterland Community Band as a member of the horn section, attending many events near and far, at places like the Mudgeeraba Show, or the ANZAC day service, or the Mudgeeraba Street Party or just in the Village, or the Hall when the band got scheduled to play. But George did more than that, training the next generation of bugler. Young people were tutored by him to play the Last Post, and now they stand proudly on those special days where George used to stand. George’s love of music provided a lasting legacy to our community.
George was a patron of the Mudgeeraba Show, respected for his long service volunteering and leading groups of other volunteers, contributing selflessly to make the Show the wonderful community agricultural event it is today. He did much the same with the Gold Coast Hinterland Heritage Museum, serving as a volunteer there regularly and helping out whenever there was a need. He also helped design and project manage the war memorial at Elsie Laver Park, and I recall a number of times when he explained to me how the cenotaph was positioned for optimum impact, shadowing the afternoon light such that it fell on the memorial wall perfectly. George’s volunteering and commitment to our sense of place and our history provided a lasting legacy to our community.
George led the traditions of honour and respect for former Councillor John Franklin, who tragically died in a woodchopping accident in the same week that the Mudgeeraba Memorial Hall burnt down. Championing the rebuilding of the hall, and championing the memory of John Franklin wasn’t just words though; he helped raise the money to rebuild the hall rallying the whole community around the cause, and for many years chaired the John Franklin Fellowship committee, who have been responsible for tens of thousands of dollars in bursaries provided to young leaders of our community. George’s commitment to remembering others legacy and the next generation, has provided a lasting cultural legacy to our community.
There were countless little moments that mattered. Each of you will probably have one, or many. But when you want to remember him, you need not go far. George O’Brien OAM will be the first laid to rest in the expanded Mudgeeraba Cemetery, on the new Acacia Lawn. It is fitting that he be the first to be laid there, and I’m sure he will set the tone for the new facility and make sure everyone else who comes after him behaves. He’ll probably also expect everyone to be in the cemetery band…
But hopefully, whenever we visit, we will remember his welcoming smile, perhaps hear his articulate voice reciting a poem he loved or that he thought would entertain like the one that helps us remember how to spell Mudgeeraba (M.U.D.G.E.E.R.A.B.A … Mudgeeraba), maybe when we visit we’ll hear his familiar horn play Sunset, or The Last Post.
I know that whenever I visit I will remember his kind but firm words to me about courage in community leadership, remembering that even when it is hard or challenging, keeping focussed on the best outcome for the established community values is the best path to the rewarding satisfaction that comes from a job well done. George, I will miss you, and our community will miss you. In the apt words of Joan Rudd, when I spoke to her this week, “George was one in a million and we wish there was more like him”.
George, we are heartbroken that you’ve left, in a season that’s been so hard with its cyclone and all, but I know you would empower us to remember your legacy by working to make the community as caring and loving as you made it during your time with us. Rest well, my friend.