Community & Business
18 June, 2026
Allora Loses a Good Man
The streets of Allora won’t be the same since the passing of Peter Cavanagh. On Friday we lost Peter, a proper gentleman who was happy to have a yarn and talk about his love and involvement with rugby league, particularly with junior players.
From the age of 16 Peter came through the grades as a player and referee then took on coaching and administration including 30 years as chairman of Warwick & District Junior Rugby League.
He played in the seniors, 16s and 18s then took up refereeing at 21 but he gave that away for seniors at 33 when he bought the dairy farm at Berat from his father. The Cavanagh Family had lived at Oaklands since 1923 - a total of 96 years - and were Dairy farmers for that time until April 2019 when the farm was sold to Peter Cavanagh, the third generation to live there. While operating the dairy farm, Peter continued refereeing and coaching juniors.
Peter would say that he was lucky to have the opportunity to be part of it all, particularly working with the juniors and making sure they left the game with good memories and values of teamwork and being gracious winners and losers.
His efforts to promote the game and develop young players saw him recognised with Life Membership of Wattles Senior and Junior Rugby League Clubs, Central Downs Junior Rugby League, Zone 5 Junior Rugby League, the Warwick and District Junior Rugby League, the former Queensland Rugby League South West Division and he was named a Member for Life of the Queensland Rugby League’s Central Division.
Peter attended St Joseph’s School (now St Patrick’s Allora School) and over the years was always ready to lend a hand at the annual School Fete along with any events organised by the Parish. He was also an active member of St Vincent de Paul Society.
Peter Cavanagh, a quiet achiever, will be greatly missed by all.
Funeral arrangements for Peter Cavanagh have yet to been released.
