Roy and Nola Thompson left behind more than a big name on the Sunshine Coast. They left behind a way of doing things. For many people in Buderim and the surrounding suburbs, that is what makes their story feel so close to home. It is a story about love, hard work and giving back without making a fuss.
A love that lasted
Roy and Nola were married for 69 years. They raised eight children, and over time their family grew to include 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. That is a full life by any measure.
But what people keep coming back to is the bond between the two of them. Nola died first, after being diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Roy died just eight days later. Their son Peter said it felt like his father died of a broken heart. That says a lot in very few words.
They were close all their lives and did things together. They shared the same values. And they carried those values into every part of their family life.
From a carpenter to a Coast builder
Roy started work as a carpenter at 16. He came from a modest background and built his life one step at a time. Later, he moved into hotels and property development. Along the way, he helped shape parts of the Sunshine Coast that people know well today.
He built Chifley’s Hotel at Alexandra Headland, then went on to other projects across the region. But success never seemed to change his outlook. He often said people could not take money with them, so it made sense to use it while they could.
That simple idea shaped the way both Roy and Nola lived. They did not chase attention nor did they talk themselves up. They just helped where they could, and they kept doing it for years.
Giving that stayed close to home
The Thompsons supported a long list of causes. They helped establish the Sunshine Coast Rescue Helicopter Service and gave major support to the University of the Sunshine Coast. They also backed Wishlist, the Buderim Foundation, Hear and Say, Stella Maris Parish and mental health research.
Their giving was not loud. It was steady. It was practical. And it stayed close to the community they loved.
At UniSC, their support helped create scholarships and bursaries that will keep helping students for decades. Their backing of the Thompson Institute also strengthened mental health research and care. That matters to local families. It matters to young people trying to study. And it matters to anyone who has ever needed a helping hand.
Their impact will keep showing up in places most people may never even think about. But it will be there.
Quiet people, lasting legacy
Those who spoke about Roy and Nola all seemed to land on the same point. They were private people. They kept a low profile and cared deeply about family, faith and community.
That is part of why so many people are feeling their loss now. They showed that you do not need to make a lot of noise to make a real difference. You do not need to be flashy. You just need to care, keep showing up and be willing to give.
And that is what makes this such a strong local story for Buderim and beyond. People here understand community. They understand the value of backing each other. They know that the best lives are often the ones lived simply and well.
Roy and Nola Thompson did just that. They loved deeply. They gave wisely. And they left the Sunshine Coast stronger than they found it.
Published 19-August-2026
