Community
6 December, 2024
Tributes for ‘Mr Mareeba’
TRIBUTES have flowed for Mick Borzi (AM, OBE) with community leaders and former councillors describing him as a visionary, accomplished leader, and a passionate advocate for Mareeba and Far North Queensland.
Mr Borzi was 91 years of age when he died on November 26, and his life and legacy was honoured at a funeral service in Mareeba on Monday.
As a former mayor and chairman of the Mareeba Shire, chairman of the Cairns Harbour Board and, subsequently, the Cairns Port Authority, Mr Borzi made his mark in public life and played an integral role in significant projects becoming a reality – projects like the development of the Cairns International Airport, the Mareeba Industrial Estate and the Mareeba Heritage and Museum and Visitor Information Centre.
Committed to community
Mr Borzi’s commitment to the community was demonstrated through his involvement with the Lions Club of Mareeba, Mareeba Rotary and the Mareeba International Club and was considered the “father” of the Great Wheelbarrow Race which he wanted for the benefit of small towns along the way.
Last week, former colleagues and community leaders told of their experiences with Mr Borzi and paid tribute to his life.
Leading Cairns economist Bill Cummings paid tribute to the difference Mr Borzi made in the region. “Mick’s influence on the progress of Cairns and the region was exceptional,” he said.
“Over the years, I would come to work with Mick on various projects. Mick was the best meeting chairman I have ever worked with and seen in action. His ability to quickly and efficiently steer a meeting to an agreed and sound course of action was outstanding.
International airport advocate
“However, Mick’s greatest achievement for Cairns and the region was the upgrading of Cairns Airport to take wide-bodied jets on long distance direct flights from overseas.
“It was a team effort but it was Mick as chairman of the Cairns Harbour Board, who first brought to everyone’s attention the potential of moving to ‘local ownership’ as a pathway to achieving a long sought after much-needed upgrading of the airport if the Cairns region was to achieve its obvious potential to become an international tourism destination.
“It was Mick who formulated the resolution passed at a public meeting at the Civic Centre to form a special committee to pursue local ownership.
“After a furious internal community debate it was Mick, who as chairman of the Cairns Harbour Board, reconfigured it as the Cairns Port Authority to also manage the airport. He also negotiated the commonwealth funding that made the upgrading possible and it was Mick as chairman of the port authority who oversaw the works that culminated in the first jumbo jet flight to Honolulu taking off at the end of March 1984.”
True visionary
Member for Kennedy Bob Katter said Mr Borzi was “a true visionary” who had played an integral role in transforming Cairns and the Far North into the global tourist destination it is today.
“I thought Cairns was lucky to even have an airport, but Mick’s influence led to its expansion, making it a key gateway for tourists. His work laid the foundation for the city’s booming tourism industry,” he said.
“Mick was a humble man, always grounded in the values of hard work and service to his community.
“The last time I visited him, he and his wife were working on their mango plantations, embodying the spirit of self-sufficiency and dedication that defined his life.
“And when I last saw him in the public arena, he was working as a volunteer for St Vincent de Paul, helping others in need.
“If you were ever going to build a statue in Far North Queensland, it should be for Mick Borzi. His leadership and legacy will continue to benefit Mareeba and the region and its people for generations to come.”
Hard worker
Lions Club of Mareeba’s Tom Braes said Mr Borzi’s name was “synonymous with hard work, respect, dignity, and diligence”, citing his various achievements and “fearless” advocacy for the shire’s facilities such as such as the Mareeba Hospital and Dimbulah Clinic.
“In 1958, Mick and a handful of others had a dream and formed a Lions club in Mareeba. Mick worked hard to expand Lions in North Queensland and PNG and became the first district governor of the new District 201H in 1963,” Mr Braes said.
Former Mareeba Shire councillor Alan Pedersen had incredible respect for Mr Borzi and his work ethic.
“I joined the Borzi team in council during 2003 after the passing of Gordon Arnold. This ‘apprenticeship’ helped me in good stead for my following 15 years in council,” he said.
“Mick’s work ethic was amazing and very few powers were delegated to the senior officers.
“Mick was typically financially frugal, there wasn’t any budget overruns or free lunches – ratepayers’ money was in good hands when Mick was at the helm.
Reversed merger
“When the Beattie Government decided to amalgamate Mareeba Shire with our three southern shires in 2008, it almost broke Mick’s heart. With his ‘never say die’ attitude, he assembled a group of business people and set about de-amalgamating his beloved Mareeba Shire from the newly-formed Tablelands Regional Council and finally achieved this five years later. An incredible effort.”
Mareeba Mayor Angela Toppin described Mr Borzi as “an incredibly accomplished leader”, who served at the young age of 27 as the chairman of Mareeba Shire, a position he held for 12 years and was then the mayor from 2000-2008.
“Mr Borzi was recognised with a centenary medal in 2001 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005,” Mayor Toppin said.
“He will be remembered for his efforts in supporting the development of commerce and industry in our shire. We thank Mr Borzi for his incredible contributions to our region and our thoughts are with Elza, his family and friends at this time.”
Former Tablelands Advertiser managing editor and long-time friend, Barry Simpson said he was shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of “Mr Mareeba”.
“His example is the greatest possible for young people who aspire to make a difference to our region’s future and the production of long-lasting positive outcomes that benefit the common good,” he said.
To read the full tributes go to www.cairnslocalnews.com.au
