KEITH Fitzpatrick of Peregian Beach, a Kokoda veteran and proud Queenslander, passed away quietly in his sleep on June 14 at the age of 101.
Born in Miles on September 17, 1923, Keith worked as a Jackaroo in central Queensland after leaving school and was enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on November 28, 1941. Keith was underage and used his brother’s birth certificate to join. He served in the 2/25th Battalion during two tours of New Guinea, where he spent a total of 359 days fighting.
Keith was a proud Australian who continued his service to the country working in the military with the Australian Army until retirement on November 10 in 1967.
This military career had many highlights, including participating in the 1955 Coronation Contingent aboard HMAS Sydney for Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation and serving as Regimental Sergeant Major, training National Servicemen for Vietnam.
Keith made his way to the local area, purchasing land in Peregian Beach in 1961 with his wife Valda, where he was told he was a fool to want to live “way out there!”
Keith made the permanent move to Peregian Beach with his family in 1971 and contributed to local development working with TM Bourke to establish estates in Marcus Beach and Sunshine Beach, and naming Solway Drive in Noosa.
The military remained a big part of Keith’s life, and he helped establish the Coolum-Peregian RSL Sub-Branch and he was an active advocate for War Widows Inc.
Keith moved into a retirement home in Coolum in 2019, and both his wife Valda and daughter Gay remain living at the family home. Keith and Valda celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary in 2024.
Sons Douglas and Michael followed him into the Army, and grandson Samuel was recently appointed as an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. Over three generations, Keith’s family has a combined military service totalling 78 years.
Keith is survived by his wife Valda, seven children, 16 grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.
