Tom Gilmore OAM, Former Mayor, Remembered for His Significant Contribution

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former Mayor and friend to many, Tom Gilmore OAM.

“Tom will be remembered for being a true gentleman who was dedicated to his family, friends and our community and our thoughts and prayers are with Sally and his family at this time,” Mayor Angela Toppin said.

“He was elected as the National Party member for Tablelands in the Queensland Legislative Assembly in 1986. In 1992 he was appointed as Shadow Minister for Minerals and Energy, a portfolio he held until the Coalition took over government in 1996, at which point he became the Minister.”

“He served as the Mayor of Tablelands Regional Council from 2008 to 2012 and became Mayor of the Mareeba Shire when it de-amalgamated in 2014. He was the Mareeba Shire Mayor until his retirement in 2020.”

“Following his retirement Tom was recognised for his service to local government and to the community of Mareeba Shire by being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the 2020 Queens Birthday honours list.”

“We will remember him for his lifelong dedication to the expansion of the local economy, his advocacy to improve roads and transport linkages, and the importance he placed on the creation of jobs for our youth.”

“Recently, Council unveiled the ‘Tom Gilmore Mareeba Aviation Industrial Precinct’ at the Mareeba Airport in recognition of the significant contribution that he has made to the development of the airport, and the Mareeba Shire.”

“Tom advocated for funding that saw the completion of the $23 million upgrade to the Mareeba Airport in 2019. This catalytic investment in infrastructure is recognised as one of the most significant events in the history of Far North Queensland regional aviation.”

“The upgrade has accelerated economic diversification of the Mareeba Shire and the broader region, and it is recognised that growing aviation capacity will enhance Mareeba’s existing position as a regional supply and service hub for the mining, cattle, agricultural and tourism industries.”

“Tom led Council through the very vulnerable time after de-amalgamation,” Mayor Toppin said. “The Queensland Treasury Corporations prediction was that Council would soon be in financial difficulty however it was through Tom’s dedication and experience, that he and the Councillors turned this prediction around to make the Shire the sustainable and viable one it is today.”

“Tom will be sorely missed, and we would like to relay our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.”

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