General News
26 September, 2026
Vale Quentin Karaitiana, 'Big Q'
Gilgandra has been mourning the loss of much-loved community member, the late Quentin Karaitiana, ‘Big Q’.
Big Q passed away suddenly on Monday evening, September 14. His contributions to the community will be widely missed. He was currently the manager of the Gilgandra Services Club, but over the years he has involved with several sports groups and community groups.
A proud Māori man, Big Q was also a lovely singer and performed the New Zealand National Anthem on a number of occasions at Gilgandra’s ANZAC Day ceremonies.
A large crowd of around 300 people attended a memorial at the back of the Gilgandra Multi-Purpose Service on Wednesday, September 16, before a special procession of emergency services and family members, made its way across the Gilgandra township. Giving Big Q one last look at the town and the people he loved.
Family members and community representatives briefly spoke at the hospital memorial, sharing Big Q’s fondness for the community he chose to call home. Extended family members also paid tribute to their much loved “rock” – many Big Q had mentored or helped through difficult times in their own lives. Following this local farewell, he was repatriated back to his home country of New Zealand to be with his whānau (family). Details on further memorial events will be announced at a later date.
Over $70,000 has been raised via GoFundMe to support his family.
