May 20, 2022
A funeral service will be held next Saturday (May 28) to celebrate the life of popular Murgon businessman and community stalwart Mark Smith.
Mark, 66, died on Monday in Murgon Hospital surrounded by family members after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
He was well-known in business circles due to his popular “Mark Smith’s Menswear” shop in Lamb Street – which Mark and wife Janelle bought in 1993 – and his volunteer work with the Murgon Business and Development Association and Murgon Golf Club.
He also chaired the Murgon Christmas Carnival committee.
After serving many years as vice-president, Mark was elected president of the MBDA in late 2020 but was forced to step down due to his illness in February this year.
However during his time at the helm, he introduced several innovations, including “meet and greet” evening meetings.
Mark was also one of the key community drivers behind the introduction of Murgon’s CCTV security system cameras and lobbied the South Burnett Regional Council for years to improve Murgon infrastructure, including its broken footpaths.
He was very supportive of local initiatives, and liked to boast he was the first sponsor to back community radio station CROW-FM when it hit the airwaves.
Mark also publicly backed moves to promote motorcycle tourism in the South Burnett, and was a keen rider himself with both he and Janelle being avid members of the Sunshine Coast Harley Owners Group.
His laugh was as well-known around town as his famous moustache, which he sacrificed for a few months in 2016 when he agreed to shave it off as part of a charity event for the Leukaemia Foundation which raised more than $4500.
Mark’s support for local events was well-known, with his name appearing on sponsorship lists as varied as the Murgon Show and the Boondooma Dam Yellowbelly fishing competition.
He organised charity events backing various causes but also supported other group’s fundraising efforts, such as South Burnett Relay For Life’s “Dinner With The Captains”.
Mark’s love of rugby league could not be hidden.
He brought league star Gavin Cooper back to Murgon for a memorable visit in 2016 which raised more $25,000 for the Murgon’ Mustangs junior rugby league club.
He supported (and he even donned a jersey) when the Australian NRL Legends took on the Cherbourg Legends in a fun day of rugby league at Cherbourg in 2019.
Mark is survived by wife Janelle, children Lauren, Jeremy and Kelsie, brother Neil, son-in-law Matt, daughter-in-law Ash and his five grandchildren Mia, Jake, Xavier, Onah and Indi.
His funeral will be held at the the South Burnett PCYC Hall, 40 Macalister Street, Murgon, from 11:00am on Saturday, May 28. Cards will be available at the service upon which people can write their condolences.
Mark’s family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be considered for the Murgon Hospital Auxiliary.
Mark was a good bloke and wonderful businessman. He had his finger on the pulse for Murgon and was passionate about the town of Murgon. Janelle, his wife, just a lovely lady. She was his support person. Our hearts go out to Janelle and family for this unexpected loss. Mark had so much more to live, give and celebrate. There is no doubt that he will be sorely missed. The blessings of God be with the family.