Former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve “Golly” Gollschewski, who lived in Gordon Park for about 15 years before relocating to the Sunshine Coast, has died after an 18-month battle with cancer.
Mr Gollschewski died on 4 September, aged 67, after a policing career spanning more than 46 years. His family said he died surrounded by loved ones after a sudden complication during his cancer journey.
Fifteen years in Gordon Park
Mr Gollschewski and his wife, Rebecca, had a home in Gordon Park for about 15 years before selling the property in 2021.
The home was close to Kedron Brook. The couple later relocated to the Sunshine Coast, where property records showed they had bought at Peregian Beach.
His connection to Brisbane’s northside also included police work. An official career biography records that he served at Boondall Criminal Investigation Branch in 1996 before working on the Carter Inquiry and later joining the Ethical Standards Command.
From detective to commissioner
Born in Brisbane and educated at Mt Gravatt, Mr Gollschewski joined the then-Queensland Police Force in 1980. He served in Maroochydore, Brisbane and Dalby before moving into plain-clothes policing and qualifying as a detective.
His career later included organised crime, intelligence and senior regional commands. He became a deputy commissioner in 2013 after serving as an assistant commissioner and chief superintendent.
Mr Gollschewski also held senior operational roles during major floods, cyclones and bushfires. He was involved in the police response to the 2011 Toowoomba and Lockyer Valley floods and later served as strategic commander for security operations at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, he oversaw police operations involving hotel quarantine, airports and Queensland’s road borders, becoming a familiar figure at public briefings.
Queensland’s top policing job
Mr Gollschewski became acting commissioner in February 2024 and was formally appointed Queensland’s 21st Police Commissioner in April.
At the time, he had already spent more than a decade as a deputy commissioner and more than 40 years in policing. He said his focus was on ensuring Queenslanders were safe and felt safe while supporting officers across the service.
He stepped away from the role in February 2025 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. After treatment, he returned to full duties later that year before announcing his retirement in February 2026.
Police Minister Dan Purdie said at the time that Mr Gollschewski had served Queensland with professionalism and integrity and had led the state through major disasters and emergencies.
National recognition before his death
Mr Gollschewski was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours for distinguished service to law enforcement, counter-terrorism activities and the community.
Known throughout Queensland Police as “Golly”, he retired after more than four decades in policing, having risen from constable to commissioner.
For about 15 of those years, Gordon Park was home.
Published 7-Sept-2026
