Alex Woodcock
26 January 1962 to 03 July 2023
It is hard to know where to begin the retelling of our Dad’s life for he had many passions, interests, and a lot of stories cultivated throughout his 61 rotations of the sun. So it’s best to simply begin:
Alex Woodcock was born on Friday 26 January 1962 in Cairns hospital to Alex Woodcock and the late Eleanor “Joy” nee Dubbins. Eldest brother to Bill, Noeleen and Mark, he also acted as an older brother to many others providing mentorship, support and guidance. But his biggest joy and greatest pride was his children: Lorna Aramina, Lullianne Joy and Paul.
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Alex was intelligent, smart, curious, and always learning; he would often say goodnight with a big book in hand and when greeted in the morning you would find out he had read every single page and could tell you what he learnt.
Attending Edge Hill State Primary School and Trinity Bay State High School, Alex then went to Griffith University to undertake his Bachelor’s Degree. He was happy when his kids followed in his footsteps with Lullie attending the same primary and high schools, Lorna the same high school, and Paul the same university 20 years later. Alex would often walk the Griffith campus with Paul, reminiscing about his time there, and retelling stories of the adventures he got up to. This included establishing the first University Bar and Griffith Cricket Club, a club that he would manage in between his studies.
Whilst Alex didn’t graduate from Griffith, he later undertook his undergraduate degree with Curtin University. Graduating in 2015 with Bachelor of Applied Science (Honours) and on the Vice Chancellor’s List, he commenced his PHD studies in 2017 with James Cook University, exploring regional autonomy in the Torres Strait.
Alex was a lifelong student and a hands on teacher, tutoring and motivating others to complete their studies. When Mark was struggling to complete his schooling in Cairns, he moved to Brisbane where Alex greeted him with open arms. Alex arranged a tutor for Mark and would often play chess and Scrabble to expand Mark’s mind. Alex always saw the potential in others and cheered them on to see the same within themselves. Through this support Mark passed his studies.
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Alex was passionate about every endeavour he undertook, especially sports. He was fiercely competitive but a fair sportsperson. The competitiveness began on the streets of Whitfield and Earlville, where he would often be found outside playing with his siblings. Admittedly Alex learnt sportsmanship later in life as growing up he would often change the rules to ensure his victory as he thought of nothing more than winning whatever game he played.
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Alex’s passion for cricket was the most fierce out of all the sports he played. He was a fast bowler having refined his skills in backyard cricket where he bowled fast and hard at his siblings. Alex played for Cairns representative teams and had a“feared left arm quick throughout the late 80s to early 90s… holding his own with a bat [to] torment the opposition”. This reputation formed while playing for Rovers Cricket Club in Cairns.
Alex enjoyed socialising and meeting new people. He could always find a connection or common interest that he could yarn about for hours. We all know that when Alex got a phone call it had the potential to become a long yarn. If you were with him before he got a call, you knew that after 10 minutes it was time to say ‘Yawo’, else you would be there waiting 1 hour later.
As a child, Alex and his siblings never stayed still for long and would always be found in places away from the watchful eyes of their mother. Whether walking up the grassy hills in Edge Hill or through the trees to Chinaman Creek, Alex would be booming with laughter, a glimmer in his eyes, and a mischievous grin.It was the same look he had throughout the years whenever he was getting up to something cheeky.
Marsh Street in Earlville, where our family has lived for over 50 years,was the social centre for Alex. A house filled with many people and only 2 bedrooms, the boys ended up living downstairs, which became the perfect spot to come home to after partying so as to not wake up the household or to have a group together to drink and yarn until the early hours of the morning
After his mother passed, Alex permanently moved into Marsh Street where hewould often be visited by friends or members of the community asking for hisguidance and help. Continuing the legacy of his Grandmother, Jumula “Aramina”Dubbins, and his mother, who would open up their homes to support their familyand community, Alex would also welcome people to stay at Marsh Street whilethey set themselves up in Cairns.
Alex was never religious but appreciated the community that religion supported and how Torres Strait Islander culture and values was incorporated and reflected.The same Christian and Ailan values that his mother raised in him guided him when he used his gifts in the service of others, creating and connecting people and communities.
Joining the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) in the early 1990s down in Canberra, Alex would connect with many Indigenous colleagues who became and have remained lifelong friends, while establishing many initiatives that supported his people.
Alex was well-known for his work in the secretariat for the Torres Strait Islander advisory committee and later the Office of Torres Strait Islander Affairs, working to set up the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA). During Alex’s time in Canberra he would also join many sporting communities, such as the Shadows Basketball team, and continued his passion for cricket through his work, arranging matches between the ATSIC Chairman's XI and the Prime Minister's XI, as well as the Imparja Cup. Alex loved retelling the story of taking Paul and his childhood mate to one of the Prime Minister's XI matches where Steve Waugh ignored the boys but John Howard offered them his hand which the boys themselves then ignored. He had a mischievous tone to his voice and a cheeky grin, booming with laughter at the audacity each time he told the story.
After leaving ATSIC and escaping the Canberra winters, Alex worked in the Torres Strait as the Regional Director, Far North Queensland and Cape York for the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. Returning to the Torres Strait had been a dream of his for many years, as was fulfilling a pledge made to his late Aunty Flora"Lulli" Filewood to return before the age of 40. The role provided him the opportunity to continue to make strong contributions to the future of the Torres Strait, whilst also the opportunities to meet and be with his family, taking part in traditional events and helping out where he could.
Alex served the public in many other roles over his 30+years of service in the Federal and State public services, motivated by a sense of purpose.
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Alex loved to serve his community and would never say no to someone in need,supporting them however he could. When someone sought advice or asked for a loan,Alex would stop everything he was doing to help.
Alex joined the Kozan board in 2015, where he was Chairperson for 8 years before his passing. Kozan provides housing for people in need and participating on the board ensured Alex continued his family’s legacy. A planner who thought about the future,Alex pushed a program to undertake all the unexciting maintenance work on all the Kozan houses that would see them continue to serve his community. Many Kozan people will now live in houses that have air conditioning and don't leak because Alex sorted it out. One of his greatest aspirations was to buy Marsh Street from Kozan, to honour his mother and continue to provide a place for his family and community.
Alex passed away on Monday 3 July 2023 at the age of 61, days before the headstone unveiling for his mother. He was determined to ensure that the unveiling would honour the person who played such a significant role in his life, and would often talk about how much it played on his mind over the years that it was taking so long as he tried to engage his siblings in the process.
Based on the outpouring of messages, it makes us proud to know that Alex will be remembered as a gentleman with a high level of intelligence, a strong sense of purpose, and thoughtfulness that earned him the reputation of a gentle giant in a complex world and a pillar of strength and compassion. His unexpected passing has been a great loss of knowledge and guidance for his family.​
He will be so dearly missed.
