Community
14 February, 2025
Tributes to Warren Pitt
ONE of Gordonvale’s favourite sons – Warren Pitt – has died after a battle with cancer.
The former Member for Mulgrave and Labor cabinet minister died peacefully last Friday. A funeral/memorial service is expected to be held on February 21.
Mr Pitt was 76, a national serviceman, former teacher, rugby league player and referee, athlete, cricketer and champion boxer. He was a life member of 13 sporting and community organisations.
His son, Curtis, who succeeded him as Member for Mulgrave until retiring last year, said it was “with a heavy heart that I advise of the passing of my father the honourable Warren Pitt AM”.
‘Laid down his gloves’
“After fighting the good fight his entire life, he laid down his gloves in the early hours of this morning, passing away peacefully in Gordonvale,” he said.
“He lived an extraordinary life, doing so much for others and creating a positive impact on this world.
“On behalf of my mother Linda, who he loved s.o deeply, and my sister Dionne, we say thank you to those people who were a part of Dad‘s life.
“You were important because you made his life richer and fuller for knowing you. And to Heidi, Phoebe, Tristan, Layla, Hugo and Kobi – he adored his grandchildren and was so proud of you all.
“Dionne and I never had to look too far to find a hero or to aspire to aim high.
‘Greatness next to us’
“In our Dad, greatness has been sitting next to us, holding our hands and guiding us our entire lives. Rest easy now Dad and know you were loved xo.”
Mr Pitt, who at one stage ran a sporting goods store, was elected to Parliament in 1989, was defeated in 1995 and re-elected in a by-election in 1998 before retiring in February 2009.
Over the years he was business, industry and regional development minister, as well as the minister for communities and disability services, seniors and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, main roads and local government.
Some of his achievements while in government included the upgrading of Gordonvale and Innisfail hospitals, the establishment of Bentley Park College, the construction of the $48 million Mulgrave River bridge and the launch of a major study into the southern access corridor of Cairns.
Passionate advocate
Opposition and Labor leader Steven Miles said he was “deeply saddened by the passing of Warren, a truly passionate advocate for Far North Queensland”.
“Serving as the Member for Mulgrave and a cabinet minister, Warren made a real difference in the lives of so many Queenslanders,” he said.
“A hero from our north. Rest in peace, Warren.”
Devoted family man
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said “it is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the passing of the honourable Warren Pitt AM, a distinguished leader and cherished member of our community”.
She said his leadership in ministerial roles “led to significant advancements in infrastructure, community services and regional development across our state”.
“Beyond his professional achievements, Warren was a devoted family man.”
Current Member for Mulgrave Terry James said he was “so very sorry to hear news from Curtis Pitt MP about the passing of his dad Warren Pitt”.
“Warren was a true gentleman whose values transcended both sides of politics,” he said.
Dear friend
Federal Member for Leichhardt Warren Entsch told Federal Parliament that Mr Pitt was a “very dear friend and colleague”.
“He and I shared a constituency in my early days at Yarrabah, and we worked closely together, advocating for the community,” Mr Entsch said.
“He would frequently call me up and say: ‘Warren, I’m going over to Yarrabah to see the constituents. Would you like to come?’ I would always say yes.
ALP1
“I’d meet him on the Bruce Highway turn-off on the way to Yarrabah, hop into his vehicle, ALP1, and together the ‘two Warrens’ would head to Yarrabah to pay a visit to our constituents. I handled federal matters. He did the state.”
Mr Entsch said he was instrumental in having an overpass named after Warren and his wife Linda. “Warren, alongside his wife, Linda — who was always willing to be part of supporting Warren — were and will always be a part of Mulgrave.”
