Kynuna Station manager Dave Doyle, who passed away suddenly on July 13.
RESPECTED Northwest Queensland station manager Dave Doyle passed away suddenly in Cloncurry on July 13.
Mr Doyle was attending the Cloncurry Stockman’s Challenge when he suffered a suspected heart attack. He was 45.
A popular member of the Julia Creek/Cloncurry cattle and horse industry community, he had been serving as manager at the North Australian Pastoral Company’s Kynuna Station.
Mr Doyle held a passion for the bush, and cattle in particular, from an early age.
He started with NAPCo as a ringer at Soudan Station 1989. He also worked at Kynuna station for a period, before studying at Gatton Agricultural College, followed by six years as a Queensland DPI Stock Inspector located in Boonah, Julia Creek and Quilpie.
He rejoined NAPCo in 2003 at Mittiebah as overseer, and from there back to Kynuna as station manager. He was a popular and much-respected identity within NAPCo and will be greatly missed.
Mr Doyle is survived by his partner, Sophie Elliott, a young family, his twin brother Marty who is also a long-standing NAPCo employee, and their families.
A funeral service will be held at Julia Creek Racecourse this Thursday, July 28, from 2pm. A celebration of Dave’s life will be held after the service.
I first had the pleasure of meeting Dave and his black Kelpie dog Fraggles, back in 2004 when I first decided to “go bush”. It was on Mittiebah Station where Dave was overseer, he was muddy, a little bit bloody and limping. The night before, on his return to the station from heading south for the wet season (it was late February) he and his old blue Cruiser ute became bogged on the road into Mittiebah on Alexandria Station and decided to walk the 40 or so remaining kilometres into the station. I’d only been there a few days myself when he, John Mora the manager, and myself went back out to retrieve his bogged ute. I remember the story he told us of his 24 hour hike back into the station and the way he described drinking out of puddles like a dog thinking every stick was a deadly King brown, and wondering if he could maybe ride a cow back to home. Truly funny stuff. He was a good bloke with a great sense of humour, generous and and a inspirational horseman.
I have only learned of his tragic passing as I sit here at work (I am now in mining) reminiscing about my old life, “Googling” people and places and remembering great times gone by, of which Doyley played a huge role. They were good times mate. Rest easy.
As the mother of David.{Dave} Doyle you can only imagine the shock and heartache from the loss of my wonderful twin boy but it has been heartening to know the respect and high regard in which he was held. Your words have been very comforting to me. I thankyou all who cared so much for our much loved son. God Bless RIP Darling MUM.
I’m Dave’s little brother by two years. On behalf of the Doyle Family, a heartfelt thankyou to everyone who has expressed their sympathies and shared their feelings towards him. We are so proud of Dave..He was and always will be a legend. He rests in peace with love and respect from all who knew him. Thank you, The Doyle Family.
Our hearts were filled with sadness upon the news that this world has lost the kind spirit of Dave Doyle. Our thoughts are with his family, and the beautiful memories that we will always carry to remember a true gentleman. Love from David, Terry, Shirley and family.
A tragic loss. A nicer man than Dave Doyle I am yet to meet. I have many fond memories of Doylie from his days as the Stock Inspector at the DPI at Boonah. He was kind, wise and generous with his time, knowledge and cheery disposition. Vale to a true country gentleman.
I was blessed to come across Dave and Marty’s path in the early years at Kynuna. He will be saddly missed and the bush has lost one of it’s true gentlemen. I was better for having known him
What a shock to hear of Dave’s tragic passing. My thoughts are with, his family, Marty and all NAPCO staff. As a station manager presiding over a large research project and a host to me on frequent visits to process said cattle, Dave could not have been more diligent & competent. He was an inspiration. May angels rest in heaven.
Sad news to hear of Dave’s passing so young – I was honoured to work with Dave & Marty at Wainui in the early days. My thoughts are with Dave’s family, both immediate and the broader NAP family too.
Devastating news.Our deepest sympathy to all Dave’s family.A true gentleman and an absolute pleasure to know such a man.I will always remember our chats while obtaining the stations’fuel orders.With such a beautiful heart your spirit will forever be with family and friends.
Such sad news. Dave was always kind to everyone.
I can’t be there to send you off old mate. It’s a pleasure to have you in my memories of happy times.
See you someday in that big sky ranch.
The sudden passing of Dave has left us all in shock, a great fellow who was always ready to give a hand to who ever needed it. He will be sadly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. RIP Dave
A tragic loss for our company. Dave was highly respected by all our staff, his fellow managers and our board of directors. And he was just a great bloke. We miss him dearly.