Paul Cedric Buckley, who died on March 6, 2025, was part of an increasingly rare group of Tamborine Mountain residents – a man who chose to live his entire life “on the mountain”.
He was born at Beaudesert Hospital, the third child of Nev and Joy Buckley, on November 11, 1961. He was driven home to Eagle Heights in his father’s five tonne work truck and never left.
Like his sister Jane and brother Owen before him, Paul attended North Tamborine Primary School, the three children walking what’s now Gallery Walk, picking up other school mates as they went – the Flessers first, then the Davidsons, Johnny Salisbury at the corner and the O’Haras at the top of the hill. School photos of Paul reveal a kid who dispensed with his shoes on arrival and was more interested in the playground than the schoolroom.
He and his big brother Owen became inseparable, always playing, wrestling, arguing, laughing, eating and exploring together. As they grew older, they acquired slug guns, motor bikes and eventually cars, girlfriends, jobs, wives and families, remaining the best of mates.
After primary school Paul began the time-honoured tradition of “catching the bus” to Southport State High School where he was obliged to wear shoes and even a tie but retained his scepticism about classroom learning.
He’d rather be at home on his haunches with father Nev, tinkering with an engine or roaring through the scrub on a motorbike with his mates.
They’d follow the powerline from Wongawallen down into the Guanaba Valley where they’d hone their motorcross skills in the scrub, emerging occasionally to sneak to the petrol station and fill up with 80 cents worth of fuel.
The world of work was far more appealing than finishing Year 12, so Paul took an apprenticeship with local electrician Geoff Baldwin.
It quickly became apparent Paul would rather fix clients’ lawnmowers than their power-points, so Paul moved to Jasper Panelworks with the hope of completing a panel beater’s apprenticeship.
When that failed to materialise, he moved on to work for the then Beaudesert Shire Council as a labourer, rising to the rank of Foreman before he left 30 odd years later.
He then started his own Home Maintenance business which he ran successfully until August last year.
Paul was a devoted father to four beautiful children – Alexandria, Kyle, Ryan (deceased) and Brittany. He was immensely proud of each of them.
Paul’s love of motorcycles was passed onto his son Kyle who from the age of six showed a rare talent that eventually took him and his devoted dad to racetracks all over the country riding in the Australian Superbike Championships.
Meantime Brittany showed a deep interest in school, animals and ultimately a career as a vet. Her graduation in December last year was one of Paul’s proudest days.
Paul was well known to many people from all facets of life on Tamborine thanks to his easy, friendly manner and generous nature. His was an active life combining work with a rekindled love of golf, guitar playing, tending his extensive lawn and garden and his lifelong love of motorcycling.
Paul’s family was the heart of his life and the centre of his dreams for the future. Those dreams were thwarted on August 30th 2024 when his doctor confirmed melanoma had returned after a 7 year hiatus. Paul remained stoic, optimistic and courageous throughout his treatment.
His family is enormously and sincerely grateful to Dr Henri Coombs of Tamborine Mountain Medical Practice, Dr Rob Mason and Cancer Care Nurse Debbie Farrell of the GCUH Oncology Department, Anglicare Palliative Care and all nursing staff at the GCUH Oncology and Palliative Care Units for their professionalism, compassion and care of Paul throughout his illness. We also thank Nurse Practitioner Corrinne Haugstetter for her particular care of Paul in his final hours.
We are are forever in your debt.
