Michael O’Reilly. Photos: Supplied.
A well-known Queenslander who was the iconic “unofficial town photographer” of Weipa on Cape York for years has been remembered fondly by family and friends.
Michael O’Reilly, part of the O’Reilly family behind the pioneering O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat eco-tourism accommodation at Lamington National Park in south-east Queensland, lived in Weipa from the late 1960s to 1991.
He planted many trees around the township and remained connected to the town long after leaving.
Mr O’Reilly was born the eldest child of Luke and Marie O’Reilly (née Enright) at Beaudesert on 21 June 1935 and died at Gleneagle on 14 August at the age of 91, following a battle with ill health. He was buried at Beaudesert on 25 August and is survived by his second wife Helen, as well as children and grandchildren.
“He was a very gentle fellow, his own man. He came up in the rough and tumble of Weipa in the late 60s and he did well. I don’t think he had an enemy in the world. He was quiet and sort of reserved, a church-going man, but he was friends with everyone,” his son John said.
“He was just a normal, quiet family man who worked hard and was grateful for what he got. He was a great Dad to myself and my sister.”
Mr O’Reilly first came to Weipa township as a trade assistant, about 1967 or 1968.
“Accommodation in those days was at Top Camp, currently Napranum, with a tin shed and dirt runway. He then moved to the newly built single man’s camp at Rocky Point,” John said.
“About 1970, he and my mum, June, moved into a new build at 14 Kooloo Court, where they lived until departure in 1990 due to my mum’s illness.
“During this time, Dad worked in the regeneration section, raising and planting natives after the mining operations finished and driving the workers to sites on the company buses.
Mr O’Reilly in his younger days.
“Dad had great interest in the bush, sending nearly 500 botanical samples to the Queensland Museum and assisting many graduates and scientists when they came to Weipa and surrounding areas. I spent a lot of time with him planting trees about the town as his hobby.
“He was the unofficial town photographer in days before instant cameras and chemist film processing, doing family portrait and many passport photos in a rigged-up living room.
“He had great respect for the Indigenous people of the Cape and Weipa South, as it was known back then.
“After Weipa, he moved to Beaudesert, south of Brisbane, and became a forest guide at his cousin’s resort in Lamington National Park, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, where he welcomed many current and ex-Weipa visitors.”
John said his father “was a great supporter of the town and people” and “loved the Cape”.
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat issued a statement on social media recognising Mr O’Reilly: “It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Michael ‘Big Mick’ O’Reilly.”
“For many years, Big Mick enriched the O’Reilly’s experience with his genuine love of the birdlife, unforgettable personality and remarkable ability to remember the names of so many guests — with a little help from his treasured library of notebooks,” the post reads.
“He will also be fondly remembered for burning the toast, attempting to play the harmonica and bringing plenty of laughter and character to the mountain.
“We know many of you will have special memories of Big Mick … Rest peacefully, Big Mick. You will be greatly missed.”
The Australian National Herbarium, a Federal Government initiative, also issued a statement following Mr O’Reilly’s death.
It details his love of birdlife, contribution of herbarium specimens and his memorable, charismatic personality.
Original Article published by Luke Mortimer on Region Tropical North Queensland.
