A mate, the fun of the party, musician, storyteller, friend, cricketer, business manager and family member are some of the descriptions for the late Jonno Colfs, pictured, who passed away on December 27 after a brave battle with a brain tumour.
He was the secretary-manager of Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre when he was diagnosed in late 2024.
Jonno was a very sociable person and loved to post on Facebook and it was a dark day for Warwick and District when he posted his health diagnosis. But during 2025, he showed great courage in adversity and was always aiming for that glimmer of hope.
Throughout his illness, Jonno was supported by his partner Alana Knight, no one could have offered better support.
Jonno was born in Brisbane in 1977 and moved to Warwick with his parents Alain and Kathryn Colfs in 1982. He attended Glennie Heights State School, St Mary’s School, and Warwick State High School.
His brother, Joe said Jonno loved the social side of school but excelled in drama. He had a lead part in three school dramas under the direction of Col Dodd. During his school years, he worked at night at KFC.
He went to Brisbane after graduating from Year 12 at Warwick High and started working in hospitality at West End. Jonno then moved to Melbourne for 12 years, working for Canteen, an Australian charity that has provided free and tailored support for more than 40 years to young people impacted by cancer. He also worked for the advertising agency, The Fuel Agency.
Jonno played cricket in Melbourne for the Toorak/Prahran Cricket Club and was honoured with a life membership. He was proud of his one century in cricket for the club.
In 2011, he returned to Warwick and worked as a receptionist for a medical centre and really enjoyed meeting the clients in his role as delivery driver for the Warwick Friendly Society.
He worked as a reporter/photographer for the Warwick Daily News, then as events manager for Southern Downs Regional Council before joining the board of Glengallan and later becoming a full-time employee.
His father, Alain said Jonno loved working at Glengallan.
“He brought a special skills-set to Glengallan,” according to Donna Fraser who head-hunted him for the role of general manager of the iconic heritage tourism attraction.
“Jonno's experience in journalism, marketing, events management, catering and hospitality, together with a strong interest in local history and family links to Warwick dating back to the pioneer photographer Roggenkamp family, made him a natural for Glengallan Homestead and Heritage Centre.”, she said.
He joined the team in a casual role between jobs and was appointed to the Board as a Director before returning as Company Secretary/General Manager in 2021, a role he undertook with enthusiasm and performed admirably until his devastating diagnosis of aggressive brain tumour just over a year ago.
"Jonno’s loss, not only to his family and personal friends, but to his wider audience, leaves a great gap. He was truly one of the good guys - good at so many things: a great performer, writer and storyteller with a special way that endeared him to people and to the place.
"Glengallan misses him greatly”.
Such was the community support for Jonno; he had 30 different people offer to drive him to Toowoomba for treatments.
A Go Fund Me page raised $34,000 and the Warwick Cricket Association organised a fundraising day and auction which raised $16,000 to help Jonno with necessary expenses soon after his diagnosis.
After he passed away, there were 20,000 Facebook hits of a video about the life of Jonno as well as more than 400 comments. He was a magician in every sense of the word and for seven years was the lead singer in the Sleeping Dogs Band.
Many asked Jonno to MC functions, including Stanthorpe Rocks. He learnt some of his music at Warwick High under Colin Alley. Jonno had 10 guitars and spent a lot of time at home working on his music.
Wheatvale Cricket Club member Chris Cantwell said Jonno was the heart and soul of the club.
“He started in 2013, he was a valued member of the team. A more than handy batsmen and a fielder with a strong throwing arm,” Mr Cantwell said.
“Jonno served as president in recent years, and did a fantastic job doing match write ups on social media.
He was a wonderful mentor to the younger generation and will be sorely missed by those who played with and against him.”
Mr Cantwell said Jonno was a very talented man, whose music and community work will never be forgotten. He also loved AFL and really enjoyed Brisbane Lions premierships in the past two years.
A memorial service will be held for Jonno in the next two months.
Rest in Peace, Jonno and thanks for a massive contribution to family, friends and community.
