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Immediately after the fire, the Childers community embraced the backpackers as their own. It made the task of saying goodbye and returning to normality even more difficult. A simple thank you has never felt like enough. 20 years on, their gratitude and appreciation of the small Queensland town they are forever linked to is stronger than ever
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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The fire at the Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers on June 23, 2000 changed lives forever. It took young men and women way too soon and caused immeasurable trauma to those who escaped the building that night. They would return home a very different version of the carefree backpacker who set off on the travel adventure of a lifetime, leaving families to pick up the pieces.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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When Neil Griffith and his University friend Nigel decided to pack up their life in late 1999 and head to Australia on the adventure of a lifetime, they were young, carefree fun-seekers with the world at their feet. But it would be a trip engulfed by multiple episodes of tragedy and trauma and a key role in the investigation into the Palace Backpackers Hostel fire in Childers.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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The Childers fire is considered the worst arson attack in Queensland history. The after effects were far-reaching with local businesses and the tourism industry taking both a financial and reputational hit. Solutions needed to be found and that started with fixing Queensland's inadequate fire safety laws.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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It took just two years and four months for the Palace to be re-opened following a full re-build on the site of the exisiting hostel. There was considerable consultation with the community and the victims' families before agreeing on what would be a stunning memorial to the Palace 15. But getting to that highly emotional unveiling was far more complex than Council had first imagined.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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In the months after the fire, Council commenced its plan to restore the Palace and bring about some normality for neighbouring businesses affected by the June 2000 tragedy. But striking a deal to acquire the building and establish a suitable memorial to the victims was more challenging than they had envisioned.
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Immediately after they escaped the burning Palace, a number of backpackers reported their suspicions and identified the primary suspect to police. Authorities then set about piecing together a case to prove it was deliberately lit and build a murder case against him. It was an investigation ahead of its time to ensure it would succeed when the matter went before a jury.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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The man who lit the Palace Backpackers Hostel was well known to police. He had an extensive criminal history across multiple states and had caused immeasurable trauma to a family who had invited him into their home. What happened in Childers was the extension of a disturbing pattern of behaviour during the decade prior.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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The Childers community and surrounding towns were on edge. They feared for their safety as the man dubbed Australia's most wanted was on the loose for five days after the fire. During a violent apprehension, it took the bravery of a hero police officer and his loyal dog to bring Robert Long into custody.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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The burden of a week of intense grief and trauma was weighing heavily on the survivors and the Childers community. The town needed a lift. It came in the form of the first Royal visit to the region in 25 years.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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The strong Dutch contingent staying at the Palace brought a unique energy to the backpacker group. And in June 2000 they found a common bond through the love of their national football team. But the fire would tear the group apart and change young lives forever.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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Three days after the fire a highly emotional memorial service was held in the Community Centre. It featured the full suite of Government officials, but the focus was on the group of survivors, lead by James Whitehurst, who coined the term which would become synonymous with the 15 victims.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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On June 23, 2000, the Childers Backpacker Hostel fire was the biggest news story in the world. It would have a profound impact on the lives and careers of some of Australia's most prominent journalists. At the forefront, two rival commercial television stations, led by the Seven Network's Kim Skubris and Nine's Karl Stefanovic. This is their story
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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Just two days before the fire, Keith O'Brien celebrated his 22nd birthday with guests of the Hostel. By week's end that same circle of friends would draw strength from each other as they mourned the loss of 15 young lives and questioned why there were no smoke alarms sounding as the fire raged through the Palace.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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When it came to media spotlight, Childers was no shrinking violet, but it certainly wasn't overrun with regular requests. Nothing could prepare it for the avalanche of media that was about to quickly descend on the town though, led by a local news crew and its intrepid cameraman.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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Just three months before the Palace Backpackers Hostel fire, the O'Keeffe family, who were visiting from Ireland, met for dinner at a popular Sydney hotel. It was the night before their daughter Julie and her two travel companions were heading north to work on the farms in Childers and they'd never seen her happier. It was the last time they would see her alive.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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Childers was Bill Trevor's town and he led his community with pride and purpose. But his leadership would face its sternest test when the centrepiece of the main street - the Palace Backpackers Hostel - was set alight in an arson attack on 23 June, 2000. But with the help of an army of community volunteers, the local Mayor would put measures in place to ensure the backpackers were taken care of and Childers wouldn't be defeated.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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New Zealander Tia Pou had Childers in her travel plans and the Palace Backpackers Hostel was where she wanted to stay. And when she got there, it was everything she anticipated, until things took a sudden, unexpected twist. But what happened in Childers was just the start of her horrifying ordeal.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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It took Jessica Wiegand 8 months waitressing in a London restaurant to earn enough money to get her visa for Australia. And when she arrived it was everything she hoped for. Travel and sightseeing. She headed north to spend a few weeks working on the farms in Childers and had just started to make new acquaintances when her world was turned upside down.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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As a young man, Ken Morris dreamed of packing up and leaving Wales to take up life in Australia. It didn't quite pan out that way. So when his youngest daughter Natalie and her friends set their sights on a working holiday down under, he fully supported her fulfilling her dreams. But it would be the start of a recurring nightmare that changed his family forever.
Written and produced by Paul Cochrane
Original music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso
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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
