Latest news with #McCloyGroup
ABC News
18 hours ago
- Business
- ABC News
Jeff McCloy, former Newcastle lord mayor and businessman, dies age 75
Former Newcastle lord mayor Jeff McCloy has died aged 75, following a battle with motor neurone disease (MND). Mr McCloy has been remembered as a prominent business leader and icon of the Hunter's development and construction industries. The well-known businessman and philanthropist ran a large development company in the region for several decades and served as Newcastle lord mayor between 2012 and 2014. He was diagnosed with motor neurone disease about 12 months ago and on Friday ended his life with voluntary assisted dying. Chair of the McCloy Group Paul Broad said Mr McCloy had died on his own terms. "He looked up and winked and drifted off. He was always looking death in the eye and didn't blink," Mr Broad said. "He just kept that really strong exterior. I know in his heart he was broken. Mr Broad said Mr McCloy had still been "sharp as a tack" and was handing out instructions an hour before he died. "[He was] still designing entry statements to his latest subdivision, still talking about making sure we maintain the communities, we attract more first home buyers. "[He was] still talking about Hunter Street, still going on about the council and all the things that get under his skin. Current Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge said Mr McCloy made a significant contribution to the city's growth and infrastructure. "I think one of his great achievements … was bringing in the John Hunter Hospital initial build well ahead of schedule. "At the time when the city really needed that work done, he was the one that delivered it." During his time as mayor, Mr McCloy campaigned for the removal of the heavy rail line through the city centre and Newcastle's urban renewal. Mr McCloy resigned from his role as mayor in 2014 in the wake of the Independent Commission Against Corruption's inquiry into banned developer donations. He admitted to making banned donations to several Liberal candidates in the region ahead of the 2011 New South Wales election. Mr Broad said Mr McCloy was disappointed he had to step down. But he said that time did not define him. "He loved his time as lord mayor, and he certainly had unfinished business." Mr McCloy grew up in Belmont and gained a degree in civil engineering from Newcastle University. In the late 1970s he joined the Belmont-based construction company founded by his father, Don, before taking over the reins in the mid-80s. As the chairman of the McCloy Group, he oversaw significant residential, commercial and retirement living projects across Newcastle and the Hunter region. Known for his philanthropy, Mr McCloy supported a range of charitable organisations and supported local artists and sports teams.
The Advertiser
17-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
'My brain is still going, but my body isn't': McCloy's message of thanks to MND walkers
He can't be with them, but Jeff McCloy has sent a message of thanks to everyone who will trek from Redhead to Newcastle on Wednesday to support people facing motor neuron disease (MND). The icon of the Hunter's construction industry was diagnosed with the terminal condition in mid-2024, aged 75. McCloy Group staff have teamed up with the Coastal Wayfarers for Wednesday's 16-kilometre bush, beach and path walk from Redhead Surf Life Saving Club to Queens Wharf in Newcastle. There are more than 500 people in NSW living with MND, of which 60 to 80 are in the Hunter. Most sufferers need high levels of support and assistance. Wednesday's walk will raise funds to help MND NSW support people living with the disease and their families, including enabling access to assistive equipment, support groups and education. It is hoped the Redhead to Newcastle walk will become an annual event. Mr McCloy, who has relocated to the Gold Coast, thanked everyone who was supporting the event. "My brain is still going, but my body isn't," he said. "Before I got MND, I didn't know anything about it; everyone knows about cancer and heart attacks, but MND remains relatively unknown. I want to help to try to find a cure for it through research." "I hope the (Coastal Wayfarers) walk keeps on growing." Mr McCloy has made a $1 million donation to support Motor Neuron Research, which will be announced at this Friday's MND Gala Dinner in Sydney. "I have tried to do my best, but this disease is something that will be solved one day," Mr McCloy said. Mr McCloy told the Newcastle Herald in January that his symptoms began appearing several years before he was diagnosed. "I didn't understand what they [the early symptoms] were," he said. "I used to walk out to the breakwater, but it became increasingly hard. After a while, I found it difficult to get to Nobbys, and my walks kept getting shorter." He stood down as chairman of the McCloy Group in January, but remains its biggest shareholder. Wednesday's walk starts at Redhead Surf Club at 8.30am. Click to support the Coastal Wayfarers He can't be with them, but Jeff McCloy has sent a message of thanks to everyone who will trek from Redhead to Newcastle on Wednesday to support people facing motor neuron disease (MND). The icon of the Hunter's construction industry was diagnosed with the terminal condition in mid-2024, aged 75. McCloy Group staff have teamed up with the Coastal Wayfarers for Wednesday's 16-kilometre bush, beach and path walk from Redhead Surf Life Saving Club to Queens Wharf in Newcastle. There are more than 500 people in NSW living with MND, of which 60 to 80 are in the Hunter. Most sufferers need high levels of support and assistance. Wednesday's walk will raise funds to help MND NSW support people living with the disease and their families, including enabling access to assistive equipment, support groups and education. It is hoped the Redhead to Newcastle walk will become an annual event. Mr McCloy, who has relocated to the Gold Coast, thanked everyone who was supporting the event. "My brain is still going, but my body isn't," he said. "Before I got MND, I didn't know anything about it; everyone knows about cancer and heart attacks, but MND remains relatively unknown. I want to help to try to find a cure for it through research." "I hope the (Coastal Wayfarers) walk keeps on growing." Mr McCloy has made a $1 million donation to support Motor Neuron Research, which will be announced at this Friday's MND Gala Dinner in Sydney. "I have tried to do my best, but this disease is something that will be solved one day," Mr McCloy said. Mr McCloy told the Newcastle Herald in January that his symptoms began appearing several years before he was diagnosed. "I didn't understand what they [the early symptoms] were," he said. "I used to walk out to the breakwater, but it became increasingly hard. After a while, I found it difficult to get to Nobbys, and my walks kept getting shorter." He stood down as chairman of the McCloy Group in January, but remains its biggest shareholder. Wednesday's walk starts at Redhead Surf Club at 8.30am. Click to support the Coastal Wayfarers He can't be with them, but Jeff McCloy has sent a message of thanks to everyone who will trek from Redhead to Newcastle on Wednesday to support people facing motor neuron disease (MND). The icon of the Hunter's construction industry was diagnosed with the terminal condition in mid-2024, aged 75. McCloy Group staff have teamed up with the Coastal Wayfarers for Wednesday's 16-kilometre bush, beach and path walk from Redhead Surf Life Saving Club to Queens Wharf in Newcastle. There are more than 500 people in NSW living with MND, of which 60 to 80 are in the Hunter. Most sufferers need high levels of support and assistance. Wednesday's walk will raise funds to help MND NSW support people living with the disease and their families, including enabling access to assistive equipment, support groups and education. It is hoped the Redhead to Newcastle walk will become an annual event. Mr McCloy, who has relocated to the Gold Coast, thanked everyone who was supporting the event. "My brain is still going, but my body isn't," he said. "Before I got MND, I didn't know anything about it; everyone knows about cancer and heart attacks, but MND remains relatively unknown. I want to help to try to find a cure for it through research." "I hope the (Coastal Wayfarers) walk keeps on growing." Mr McCloy has made a $1 million donation to support Motor Neuron Research, which will be announced at this Friday's MND Gala Dinner in Sydney. "I have tried to do my best, but this disease is something that will be solved one day," Mr McCloy said. Mr McCloy told the Newcastle Herald in January that his symptoms began appearing several years before he was diagnosed. "I didn't understand what they [the early symptoms] were," he said. "I used to walk out to the breakwater, but it became increasingly hard. After a while, I found it difficult to get to Nobbys, and my walks kept getting shorter." He stood down as chairman of the McCloy Group in January, but remains its biggest shareholder. Wednesday's walk starts at Redhead Surf Club at 8.30am. Click to support the Coastal Wayfarers He can't be with them, but Jeff McCloy has sent a message of thanks to everyone who will trek from Redhead to Newcastle on Wednesday to support people facing motor neuron disease (MND). The icon of the Hunter's construction industry was diagnosed with the terminal condition in mid-2024, aged 75. McCloy Group staff have teamed up with the Coastal Wayfarers for Wednesday's 16-kilometre bush, beach and path walk from Redhead Surf Life Saving Club to Queens Wharf in Newcastle. There are more than 500 people in NSW living with MND, of which 60 to 80 are in the Hunter. Most sufferers need high levels of support and assistance. Wednesday's walk will raise funds to help MND NSW support people living with the disease and their families, including enabling access to assistive equipment, support groups and education. It is hoped the Redhead to Newcastle walk will become an annual event. Mr McCloy, who has relocated to the Gold Coast, thanked everyone who was supporting the event. "My brain is still going, but my body isn't," he said. "Before I got MND, I didn't know anything about it; everyone knows about cancer and heart attacks, but MND remains relatively unknown. I want to help to try to find a cure for it through research." "I hope the (Coastal Wayfarers) walk keeps on growing." Mr McCloy has made a $1 million donation to support Motor Neuron Research, which will be announced at this Friday's MND Gala Dinner in Sydney. "I have tried to do my best, but this disease is something that will be solved one day," Mr McCloy said. Mr McCloy told the Newcastle Herald in January that his symptoms began appearing several years before he was diagnosed. "I didn't understand what they [the early symptoms] were," he said. "I used to walk out to the breakwater, but it became increasingly hard. After a while, I found it difficult to get to Nobbys, and my walks kept getting shorter." He stood down as chairman of the McCloy Group in January, but remains its biggest shareholder. Wednesday's walk starts at Redhead Surf Club at 8.30am. Click to support the Coastal Wayfarers
