Community & Business
28 May, 2026
Community farewells Doug Cattell
More than 400 people attended the celebration of life service for Doug Cattell last Thursday, which was held at the Pittsworth Town Hall on what would have been his 80th birthday.
Fr. Tony Swansson of the Pittsworth Anglican Parish officiated the service which was a celebration of a deeply respected and hard working man, who loved both his family and the Pittsworth community that he called home.
A personal tribute written by his brother Keith Cattell, reflected the deep admiration that so many held for Doug:
“We always looked up to him and respected him, his advice was well considered and measured, he was good to talk to even when we disagreed, he enjoyed the same type of humour as I did, and our times together are always remembered with a smile.
“It was a joy to have known him and his influence on our life was profound.”
Doug’s old school chum, Darryl Bishop, shared memories and a few “scallywag tales” from their 70 year friendship.
Laughter filled the hall as Darryl recalled the mischief of their younger days, from smoking corn tassels to racing cars out to Mount Tyson.
Equally touching were the heartfelt stories shared by Doug’s grandchildren, who all wore CAT (Caterpillar) caps in honour of him, and whose memories painted a picture of a loving and playful grandfather.
They fondly recalled Doug sneaking them jersey caramels before bed, patiently teaching them the Pride of Erin, and showing them how to drive a manual car.
Fr. Swansson recited two Bible passages, one from John 15:12, and another from Ephesians 4:32.
A letter, written in a gratitude diary years before, was shared by Kay, Doug’s daughter.
It touched on their relationship and the deep admiration she had for him.
“Even though you worked so hard and such long hours, I always felt loved and protected, and knew that whenever I needed you, you would be there,” Kay said.
“You achieved so much despite your humble beginnings, and having to leave school so young.
“You’ve earned every-thing you have through hard work and determination.”
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Before the final blessing, one of Doug’s favourite hymns, The Old Rugged Cross was sung.
The eulogy, read by Doug’s son, Ian Cattell, captured the special moments shared by the family over the years, honouring a man whose generosity, respect and love left a lasting mark on all who knew him.
A condensed version is as follows:
Douglas Ian Cattell was born on 21 May 1946 to Donald and Jean Cattell of Stoneleigh.
Growing up on a small dairy farm at Mount Wyangapinni was tough, and the family later moved to Fryar Street in Pittsworth.
Doug was schooled at Irongate until completing scholarship at age 14.
Although he apprenticed at the bakery in Pittsworth in 1950, being outdoors, and working on the land, was where he belonged.
This was supported by his ability to connect with people and in the friendships and relationships he built along the way.
Doug tried his hand at various pursuits, working as a fettler on the railways, at Oakey abattoirs, and as a welder on the Moonie pipeline to Pinkenba.
His love of tractors and machinery was born whilst working on a farm on Lochaber Road at Stoneleigh.
He drove crawlers, Chamberlains, scrapers and dozers, and soon honed his craft as one of the best operators in the earth-moving game, a field in which he excelled over his lifetime.
At the Anglican Debutante Ball in Pittsworth and the trades hall in Toowoomba, he met Diane James, and the couple married and started a family - Ian came first in 1971, followed by Andrew in 1973, Craig in 1974 and Kay in 1975.
Doug loved dancing, music and social pursuits.
He was light on his feet and would move around the dance floor doing the Gypsy Tap and Pride of Erin to Ronnie And The Ramblers.
He played the mouth organ, was a great bush poet, and storyteller.
In more recent times he enjoyed attending field days, camp oven festival and static tractor displays.
In August 1977, Cattell Earthmoving was born and Doug thrived in this business for nearly 50 years.
Hard work and a great team of people formed part of this business over many years to leave an ongoing legacy of highways, dams, irrigation systems, ovals, ring tanks, arenas, land levelling development and subdivisions.
Doug always spent time in training his kids - how to drive, how to operate machinery and how to be a good person.
He expanded his fleet to be part of major development projects over the years, including securing the contract to build the Toowoomba Showgrounds, Towoomba racetrack Clifford Park, many dams at Brookstead and Jondaryan, horse arenas and ovals.
Doug had the highest work ethic throughout his life and never really retired.
His focus was always the consideration of people’s feelings as he spoke and gave directions around jobs.
He did care about people’s personal circumstances, which he tried to respect in his decision making.
In 2006 after Ian returned home from England as an engineer, the family built Pittsworth’s retirement village, the Grange Country Villas, which has become a true family legacy for the Cattells.
Doug travelled extensively in his life to England, America, Japan, Canada, Alaska and throughout Australia.
All the grandchildren went on the Rotary Club’s ‘tag-along’ trips with their grandparents, which were remembered with great fondness.
The family suffered heartache in 2022 when Doug and Diane lost their son Craig.
After his passing, the family pulled together and delivered the Tuana Park development in Pittsworth.
All the family worked together in some way on the project, and Cattell Crescent is now home to 35 houses.
Doug’s famous line when interviewed by the media about Tuana Park was, “we just love this little town”.
Slowing down was never really in his nature, and Doug worked up until his last days.
He will be remembered not for what he gained in life but for what he gave to his family and his community, whom he loved dearly.
Doug Cattell is survived by his wife Diane, children Ian, Andrew and Kay, and their families.
After Thursday’s celebration of life service, the Cattell family said they are grateful to be part of such a caring and supportive community as Pittsworth.
Even in the early years when Cattell Earthmoving first began and later during the development of the Grange Country Villas, the community has embraced and supported the family every step of the way, for which they are deeply appreciative.
