May 14, 2025
The Kumbia community is mourning the loss of one of the town’s most-loved residents, former Kumbia Race Club president (and town butcher) Brian Lenihan.
Brian, 81, died on Monday after a long illness.
Kumbia Race Club secretary Myolene Kearney said Brian was an icon of the racing industry as well as the Kumbia community.
“He has left this tremendous legacy on so many levels,” she said.
“Brian’s kindness touched so many lives with his generosity of spirit.”
Brian retired as president of the Kumbia Race Club two years ago after serving for almost 30 years in the role.
The former amateur jockey was a walking encyclopedia of all things connected with thoroughbred racing and was a familiar sight at racetracks around south-east Queensland.
South Burnett mayor Kathy Duff paid tribute to Brian on Facebook.
“When Brian was a jockey he rode most of my Dad ‘s race horses and we shared lots of memories,” she wrote.
“He has been a close friend to our family over the years. He was a true gentleman and a great friend.”
Brian and his brother Jim – a former breeder and trainer – ran Lenihan’s Butchery in Kumbia’s main street.
Their sausages, and willingness to have a chat and share free cheerios, were famous throughout the district.
Jim died, aged 74, in 2015 but Brian continued running the butchery until he officially retired on June 30, 2023, after an amazing 58 years in the business.
Last year, Brian was honoured by the Kumbia Charity Centenary Campdraft committee with the naming of a stand in the campdraft grounds as “The Lenihan Stand”.
He had been a strong supporter of the Kumbia campdraft over many years, scoring and otherwise volunteering at the event.
“Brian lived and breathed horses,” Myolene said.
“He loved telling stories. He had a great sense of fun and a passion for life.”
As Brian’s older sister Bernice – the only remaining sibling of the family – has said: “It’s the end of an era”.
A Requiem Mass for Brian will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Kingaroy at 1:30pm on May 23.
[UPDATED]
