Council veteran ‘a hero’

Jeff loses cancer battle

A long-time Tweed Shire Council worker beloved by the community has been remembered by his family and colleagues as a “hero”, “mentor” and an “amazing soul”.

Jeff Holt, 66, died on February 5 after a long battle with myelofibrosis. The rare cancer usually carries with it an average life expectancy of six years, but he bravely fought the aggressive illness after his diagnosis in 2005.

Mr Holt was a “well-respected” member of council’s water and wastewater operations unit who upheld “an unwavering work ethic” for an astonishing four-decade career.

His daughter, Emma Reeves, said her dad was a “hero” to his three children, three stepchildren and 11 grandchildren, as well as “a best mate” and “father figure to many”.

“On Monday 5th February 2024, we said goodbye to our hero Jeff Holt,” Ms Reeves said. “Jeff was a lover of hockey, a father figure to many – and above all the strongest person we know.

“He fought hard for 19 years and continued to work at council until he couldn’t, continued to play hockey against all odds and was a medical phenomenon to the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital.”

Ms Reeves described her dad as someone who “just kept beating the odds, getting up and doing it again and again”.

“Cat of 14 lives, we’d call him,” she said.

“What an amazing soul we are proud to call our father.”

She said his legacy would “live on through his grandkids – what a story we will continue to tell them”. “May you rest in peace, beautiful man,” she said.

Council water and wastewater business manager Anthony Burnham said Mr Holt was a well-respected member of the unit for 40 years.

“He will be missed by everyone who knew him,” he said.

“Jeff began working at council in 1979 and during his many decades of service, he amassed a thorough knowledge of our water and wastewater systems, making him very hard to replace. During his time with us, Jeff rose through the ranks.

“He came on board as a sewerage treatment plant operator and for nine years until his well-earned retirement in 2019, held the job of supervisor – reticulation.”

Mr Burnham said in 2013, Mr Holt needed to take periods of leave for cancer treatment and council backed him throughout his battle. He returned to the council part-time in 2018 and worked on specialist projects, including improving Tumbulgum’s vacuum sewer system. “His strong work ethic and commitment to public service rubbed off on his workmates,” Mr Burnham said. “Jeff always led by example, was a well-known sportsperson passionate about hockey both playing and later coaching for Queensland. Jeff’s son Josh works as a pump fitter for the water and wastewater operations unit. It’s wonderful that the Holt family name continues at council.”

Mr Holt’s life was celebrated at a funeral at Tumbulgum Pub last Thursday.