Associate lecturer and journalist Jeff Young, who battled pancreatic cancer since January, passed away on Saturday April 29 in Gympie. He was 46.

Jeff’s professional interests included media ethics, regional newspapers and publishing technology.

Most of all however, he was interested in working with his students, often well into the night, and involving them in news and the business of news.

“Jeff was an excellent journalism teacher with his own style of straight talking,” explained friend and colleague Professor Alan Knight.

“He worked in an office adjoining the student newsroom and was always ready to help and advise. He believed that good journalism helped build better societies,” added Professor Knight.

“He drank a lot of coffee, did not mince his words, and was known to drop the odd swear word. Working with him was just like being at work in a newsroom, and that’s what it was to him, and accordingly his students,” said Kate Ames, lecturer, Professional Communication, who worked with Jeff in the former Magistrate’s Court in the Rockhampton CBD.

Jeff, a graduate of CQU (Bachelor of Arts), was the former Editor of The Independent Queenslander and Publisher of the Cooloola Independent and Speedway Queensland Magazine.

He joined CQU in 1991 as a sessional staff member in the Department of Media and Communication in the previous Faculty of Arts and was appointed to the permanent staff in 1994 as an associate lecturer, later joining the School of Contemporary Communication as a foundation member in 1998. He helped train and mentor scores of journalists and broadcasters.

A one-time deckhand on a prawn trawler in Tin Can Bay and articled law clerk, Jeff had numerous interests and wrote for many publications. Colleagues who were in recent contact with Jeff spoke of his positive attitude and said he was at his acerbic best.

“His voice was weak but his spirit was strong... ‘I don't want people to talk bullshit about me,’ he said. He played it straight, as he had done throughout his life,” added Professor Knight, who spent a lot of time around the table with Jeff earlier this year in Hong Kong.

Ross Quinn, CQU Adjunct Professor and former ABC Capricornia Manager said Jeff had a genuine love of journalism and imbued his students with his enthusiasm and passion. The two worked together last year to help establish an ABC journalism internship program.

“Protocols that Jeff helped to develop, and his many successful students now working in the industry, will ensure that his legacy continues for many years to come,” said Quinn.

In a memo to staff both Richard Smith, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts Humanities and Education and Robert O’Sullivan, Head of the School of Contemporary Communication described Jeff’s contribution to the teaching of print journalism as “legendary”.

CQU Public Relations Officer Priscilla Crighton remembered her former teacher as genuine and thoughtful, always encouraging, inspiring and imparting confidence in students to succeed.

“He was always commending their efforts, while also encouraging improvement,” she said.

CQU staff who knew Jeff agreed he had a no-nonsense approach to life which did not change even when he was diagnosed with his cancer.

“I spoke with Jeff a week before he died and he still had a positive attitude,” said close friend Leonie Healy, Administration Officer with Faculty of Arts, Humanities & Education.

Jeff is survived by his wife Jackie and children, Anna and Shaun. His funeral is scheduled for 2pm on Friday May 5 in Gympie.