Former Queensland Police Commissioner Steve “Golly” Gollschewski, who made the Sunshine Coast home after decades in policing and had longstanding links to the region, has died after an 18-month battle with cancer.
Mr Gollschewski died on 4 September, aged 67, after more than 46 years with the Queensland Police Service. His family said he died surrounded by loved ones after a sudden complication during his cancer journey.
Peregian Beach became home
Mr Gollschewski and his wife, Rebecca, relocated to the Sunshine Coast after selling their longtime Gordon Park home in Brisbane in 2021.
Property records reported at the time showed the couple had bought a home at Peregian Beach the previous year.
His status as a Sunshine Coast resident was again noted in June 2026 when he was named among local recipients of King’s Birthday honours.
Coast connection began at Maroochydore
Mr Gollschewski’s links to the region went back to the beginning of his policing career.
After joining the then-Queensland Police Force on 1 August 1980, he worked as a constable performing general duties in Maroochydore, Brisbane and Dalby. He later moved into plain-clothes policing, qualified as a detective and worked across organised crime, intelligence and senior command.
He became Chief Superintendent of Central Region in 2008, Assistant Commissioner of Southern Region in 2010 and took command of North Coast Region in 2012 before being appointed Deputy Commissioner in 2013.
Leading police through Peregian bushfires
The Sunshine Coast also featured prominently in Mr Gollschewski’s later disaster-management work.
As State Disaster Coordinator, he led the police response to the 2019 Peregian Beach bushfires, when hundreds of residents were evacuated as fast-moving flames threatened homes across Peregian Beach and Peregian Springs.
Police and emergency services dealt with repeated fire emergencies in the Peregian area during 2019, including evacuations and emergency declarations.
Commissioner returned to Coast communities
After becoming Queensland’s 21st Police Commissioner in April 2024, Mr Gollschewski continued making official appearances on the Sunshine Coast.
In August 2024, he joined Police Minister Mark Ryan and local MP Rob Skelton to open the new $6.1 million Cooroy Police Station, saying the facility would support policing in Cooroy and surrounding communities.
Mr Gollschewski had become a familiar statewide figure during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he oversaw police operations involving border security, airports and hotel quarantine.
Final honour after 46 years in policing
Mr Gollschewski stepped away from the commissioner’s role in February 2025 after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. He returned to full duties later that year before retiring in February 2026.
In the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours, the Peregian Beach resident was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to law enforcement, counter-terrorism activities and the community.
Known throughout Queensland Police as “Golly”, Mr Gollschewski’s career began with general duties at Maroochydore and eventually took him to the state’s top policing job.
Decades later, the Sunshine Coast had also become his home.
Published 7-Sept-2026