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MoreQuiet 10d · day 10

Queensland farewells ex-police commissioner Steve Gollschewski

Former top cop remembered for guiding the state through disasters and COVID-19, dies aged 67 after lung cancer battle.

newest coverage 10d agosummary written 9d ago4 pieces NewswiresGoogle News

What to know

  • Former Queensland police commissioner Steve Gollschewski died this month aged 67 from stage 4 lung cancer, just months after retiring from his role as the state's most experienced officer.
  • Gollschewski served nearly five decades in the Queensland Police Force, guiding the state through natural disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic, and was appointed Officer of the Order of Australia shortly before his death.
  • Hundreds of dignitaries—including the Queensland Premier, Opposition Leader, and police commissioners from every Australian state and territory—gathered at Brisbane City Hall on September 14 to farewell him.
  • Family tributes emphasised his extraordinary career achievements paled in comparison to his devotion to his wife Rebecca and their children, and his commitment to community safety.

“Golly possessed an impressive combination of qualities. He was intelligent, he was confident, driven and results-focused. Equally he was a strategic thinker, who never lost sight of the people behind the organisation and the communities they served.”

Donna Adams, Tasmania Police Commissioner · ABC Australia ↗

Steve Gollschewski Former Queensland police commissionerRebecca Gollschewski WidowKirsten Gollschewski DaughterAmy Gollschewski DaughterDonna Adams Tasmania Police CommissionerDavid CrisafulliDavid Crisafulli Queensland Premier

Queensland farewells ex-police commissioner Steve Gollschewski
Sydney Morning Herald

How it unfolded 1 development · click the chart to see its coverage articles

Peak 3 pieces in 3h at Sep 13, 11 PM; 4 pieces over 10 days (4 articles) Sep 13, 8 PM — 1 piece · 1 article — Newswires 1Sep 13, 11 PM — 3 pieces · 3 articles — Google News 2, Newswires 1Sep 14, 2 AM — quietSep 14, 5 AM — quietSep 14, 8 AM — quietSep 14, 11 AM — quietSep 14, 2 PM — quietSep 14, 5 PM — quietSep 14, 8 PM — quietSep 14, 11 PM — quietSep 15, 2 AM — quietSep 15, 5 AM — quietSep 15, 8 AM — quietSep 15, 11 AM — quietSep 15, 2 PM — quietSep 15, 5 PM — quietSep 15, 8 PM — quietSep 15, 11 PM — quietSep 16, 2 AM — quietSep 16, 5 AM — quietSep 16, 8 AM — quietSep 16, 11 AM — quietSep 16, 2 PM — quietSep 16, 5 PM — quietSep 16, 8 PM — quietSep 16, 11 PM — quietSep 17, 2 AM — quietSep 17, 5 AM — quietSep 17, 8 AM — quietSep 17, 11 AM — quietSep 17, 2 PM — quietSep 17, 5 PM — quietSep 17, 8 PM — quietSep 17, 11 PM — quietSep 18, 2 AM — quietSep 18, 5 AM — quietSep 18, 8 AM — quietSep 18, 11 AM — quietSep 18, 2 PM — quietSep 18, 5 PM — quietSep 18, 8 PM — quietSep 18, 11 PM — quietSep 19, 2 AM — quietSep 19, 5 AM — quietSep 19, 8 AM — quietSep 19, 11 AM — quietSep 19, 2 PM — quietSep 19, 5 PM — quietSep 19, 8 PM — quietSep 19, 11 PM — quietSep 20, 2 AM — quietSep 20, 5 AM — quietSep 20, 8 AM — quietSep 20, 11 AM — quietSep 20, 2 PM — quietSep 20, 5 PM — quietSep 20, 8 PM — quietSep 20, 11 PM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 5 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 11 AM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 5 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 11 PM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 5 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 11 AM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 5 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 11 PM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 5 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 11 AM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 5 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 11 PM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 5 AM — quiet 1
Sep 14Sep 15Sep 16Sep 17Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22now · 6:44 AM ET
  1. background

    Gollschewski dies of lung cancer, aged 67 — The former commissioner died this month following a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer. His daughter Kirsten said she had believed her father would overcome the illness.

  2. 1

    Queensland farewells Gollschewski at Brisbane City Hall

    Inner-city streets came to a standstill as hundreds of family, friends, police officers, and dignitaries gathered at City Hall for Gollschewski's funeral. Attendees included Premier David Crisafulli, Opposition Leader Steven Miles, police commissioners from every Australian state and territory, and Brisbane Broncos coach Michael Maguire.

    “My father's accomplishments throughout his career in the police service are extraordinary, but they pale in comparison to the love he had for his family.”
    — Kirsten Gollschewski
    1. 2 outlets Former Queensland top cop Steve Gollschewski farewelled

      first by ABC Australia, 10d ago · also ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

      1 more headline
  3. background

    Gollschewski appointed Officer of the Order of Australia — The former police commissioner was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for his nearly five decades of service, just weeks before his death.

  4. background

    Gollschewski retires as Queensland's most experienced officer — After nearly five decades with the Queensland Police Service, Gollschewski retired in early 2026 as the state's most experienced officer.

  5. background

    Gollschewski's health decline becomes apparent — Tasmanian Police Commissioner Donna Adams, who had formed a close friendship with Gollschewski during leadership training, first sensed something was wrong at a police commissioners' forum in February 2026.

  6. background

    Gollschewski meets his future wife Rebecca — Rebecca, who would become his wife, first met Gollschewski in 2000. She later described them as "opposites in lots of ways" but said what they shared "transcended" their differences.

  7. background

    Gollschewski joins Queensland Police Force — Steve Gollschewski began his police career, starting a service that would span nearly five decades.

Also covered reported alongside — the timeline has no entry for these yet

  1. 2 outlets Farewell to ‘Golly’: City stops for former QPS commissioner

    first by SMH.com.au, 10d ago · also Sydney Morning Herald