It's something everyone in North West Queensland knew for a long time but now it is official - Father Mick Lowcock has been named a Queensland Great, one of nine people to receive the award on Queensland Day.
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In its 20th year, the Queensland Great awards recognise and celebrate extraordinary achievements and life-time contributions by Queenslanders to our state and to the world.
They are the highlight of Queensland Day, marking the day when the State of Queensland was proclaimed on June 6, 1859.
Known to all as Father Mick, the Mount Isa Catholic parish priest has been named a great along with Bruce and Denise Morcombe, Professor James Morton, Betty Taylor, Nancy Bates, the PCYC Queensland and the recently departed Richard (Darby) McCarthy.
Father Mick came to Mount Isa in the early 1990s and soon became a household name with his involvement in the local community.
Through the Catholic Church, Father Mick established the North West Queensland Indigenous Catholic Social Services Limited which now employs more than 70 people, and over 80 per cent are Indigenous. The group provides assistance and numerous programs to those in need, mostly Aboriginal people and their families.
Father Mick also assisted in creating the Jangawalla Kitchen where volunteers who provide daily meals to the homeless and people at the local police watch house. He also helped create the Transitional Hub to keep youth away from the path of crime.
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His nomination for a Great award said Father Mick was a tireless community worker and multicultural advocate for outback Queensland.
He achieved national attention for housing a prayer room for the local Muslim community in their time of need, a favour he still grants to this day.
He also stood in for the bishop of Townsville for three years after Bishop Michael Putney died in 2014 and survived his own bout of prostate cancer.
Typically modestly, Father Mick said he saw other people as being great, but gave the matter some thought when asked what did he think the award recognised.
"I think it is good for a priest to be recognised in this day and age when there is so much abuse and everything else," Father Mick said.
"There's a bit of recognition too for the North West because a lot happens in the South East corner, so it is good for some in the country to get an award."
Father Mick said working with Aboriginal people was a passion.
"Some people were on a path of destruction and have been able to respond and change their ways," he said.
"That always gives me hope when I see people wanting to take a new direction.
"People have to be ready to respond but if you can create a climate people will respond and we've had a lot of good people here at the office and a lot of people make you look good because of what they do that's good."
There were many tributes from the community to Father Mick.
Mount Isa Mayor Danielle Slade said Father Mick has tirelessly served the Mount Isa and North West region with utmost care, grace and compassion for almost three decades and is beloved by many.
"His work, both in local communities and for charity, is nothing short of extraordinary," Cr Slade said.
"He regularly travels widely to deliver pastoral care and services to those in remote communities. He is a Police Chaplain, steadfastly champions for the most disadvantaged in the community, and can always be counted on to provide heartfelt, sincere and reassuring counsel and advice whenever it's needed."
Lee Pulman, principal of Bell & Moir Toyota, said he had known Father Mick for 20 years as a priest, friend and customer of his business.
"Father Mick through all his tireless efforts and incredible work ethic is truly an outstanding member of our community with very little recognition," Mr Pulman said.
Former state minister, local MP and mayor, Tony McGrady said Father Mick's achievements were legendary and included his contribution to the Indigenous community, his work with Queensland police and ambulance, his efforts with the Mount Isa Multicultural festival, his commitment to local youth, his work with charities and Catholic education and Laura Johnson Aged Care facility and his travels around his large remote parish.
"He is a legend and pillar of our society and a more than worthy recipient of this most prestigious award," Mr McGrady said.
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Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
