DAVID Sykes passed away peacefully in his sleep at home in the early morning of Saturday November 2, 2024.
David was the fourth child of Arthur and Pauline Sykes who were building contractors on the Gold Coast between 1954 and 1974.
As a child he lived with his parents and sisters Judy, Berny and Diane, at Nobby Beach and Molendinar on the Nerang River.
When David was not beating his sisters at Concentration and other card games, playing cowboys and Indians, tearing down the driveway hill in a pedal car and then going to cart races or riding his small motorbike, he was with his father around building sites.
He also enjoyed fishing and crabbing on the river and dirt biking from Molendinar to the Coomera wetlands (when they were all bushland) and helping his Dad and Grandpop on a cattle property in Pocket Road, Numinbah.
David attended Nerang State School when it was a small two teacher country school, before going on to The Southport School.
Gap year
David had an adventurous spirit.
When he finished high school, he was quite young so he decided to take a gap year and headed off around Australia.
David and a mate loaded up Arthur’s ute with the dirt bikes, some camping gear and the dog and set off for several months.
Much to his mother’s relief, he returned home safely with many great stories and adventures to be told.
Dedicated son
David’s father died when he was 15, but he has supported his mother who is now aged 98, through the challenges the 21st century presented for her.
Pauline was able to rely on his advice for all of her finances and investments, especially navigating through all the government websites and bureaucracies.
Working Life
David completed a dual Law and Accounting Degree at The University of Queensland and for several years worked in the big Accounting firms in Sydney and Brisbane, rising to Senior Tax Manager.
A colleague recalled that as well as running his own client portfolio, David was in charge of the internal technical training sessions, and regularly bamboozled his colleagues with his intricate knowledge of a number of very in-depth but relevant tax issues.
David was always known to unapologetically walk to the beat of his own drum, but was always the man to go to with technical questions, although he was typically balanced and very cautious in his approach.
This tended to manifest itself in “long answers” as David considered every possible nuance and angle to a question and the interpretation of the underlying facts, as well as the relevant legislation, case law and tax ruling history.
Tamborine Mountain
David was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) in the 1990s, which brought him to Tamborine Mountain where nature soothed him and helped him to reorder his life.
Those who worked closely with David know how he micro-managed his life to cope with his restrictions, his ups and downs, and probably realized that if we had to the same, we probably wouldn’t have done as well as he.
Volunteering
David has been a passionate supporter of the volunteers who work to protect and regenerate the nature of the Tamborine National Park.
He worked with Landcare, the Friends of Tamborine National Park “Bush Vollies”, and the Tamborine Mountain Natural History Association.
He pulled weeds, planted trees, surveyed birds, led nature walks and developed websites and databases to inform and support respectful activities on the mountain.
He has also manned the gates at events for the Bush Fire Brigade and markets, doing whatever he could to support the community, while managing the ups and downs of his CFS.
A true friend
He has also been a true friend to many in need when life got tough, from transport to legal and financial arrangements, as he usually considered different angles, facts, legislation and legal history of issues.
He could be relied upon for cautious and balanced advice.
David has been a much loved and valued family member, friend and community colleague and will be very sadly missed.
His death shocked us all but David will always be remembered for his gentle manner, his generous support, and his passion to monitor, preserve and regenerate the natural Tamborine Mountain environment.
