A small town in Queensland is dealing with news no parent ever wants to hear. Twelve-year-old Luke Arthur Thompson died unexpectedly on September 6, 2026. Those closest to him called him “Lukey Dukey.” His sudden passing has turned life upside down for his folks, his brothers and sisters, and everyone down his block in Bidwill.
Luke grew up surrounded by a big, noisy family that loved him to pieces. He was the cherished son of Andrew, Lisa, and Carolee. Running around the yard with eight brothers and sisters, there was never a quiet moment in the house. His siblings—Jozephyne, Charlie, Aaliyah, Sophie, Wyatt, Alex, Hayden, and Leo—are now left trying to figure out life without their little brother.
Anyone who spent time around Luke knew how much he meant to his extended family too. He was a beloved grandson to Owen and Linda Thompson, Terri-Ann and Rodney McLeish, and Margaret Bandholz. He was also a great-grandson to Barbara Neilsen. His cousins, nephews, and aunts felt that same bright energy every time he walked into a room.
Losing a kid at twelve years old leaves a raw, heavy silence. His family keeps repeating four simple words that summed up their bond with him: “I Love You Most.” Those four words were their special family tribute, and now they carry a whole lot of weight as his parents and siblings struggle through the worst kind of grief.
Folks throughout Bidwill and the neighboring areas are leaning on each other to get through the shock. Nobody expects a young kid with his whole life ahead of him to just disappear overnight. The house feels too quiet now, and the empty space at the dinner table is a constant reminder of how fast everything changed.
The family is inviting friends, neighbors, and anyone whose life Luke touched to come together and honor his memory. A prayer service is scheduled for Friday, September 18, at 11 a.m. It will take place at St Mary’s Catholic Church on Adelaide Street in nearby Maryborough.
Standing together inside that church will give everyone a chance to share memories and hold each other up. Luke’s parents, siblings, and extended family have a long road ahead of them as they process this loss. But as they move forward, they plan to keep the spirit of “Lukey Dukey” alive in everything they do.
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