25th Anniversary Commemoration Service of the Childers Palace Backpackers Fire

Ambassador of Ireland, His Excellency Mr Timothy Mawe and Mrs Patricia McCarthy; Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Her Excellency Mrs Ardi Stoios-Braken; British Deputy High Commissioner, Mr Nick Crouch and Vice Consul in Brisbane, Ms Megan Hunt; Consul-General of Japan in Brisbane, Mr Ishikawa Katsutoshi; Member for Bundaberg, Mr Tom Smith MP; Member for Pine Rivers, Ms Nikki Boyd MP; Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor, Councillor Helen Blackburn and Councillors, Mayor of the former Isis Shire Council at the time of the fire, Councillor Bill Trevor OAM; families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in the Palace Backpackers Hostel fire; survivors and their loved ones and supporters; representatives of emergency services, including the Queensland Fire Department, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Ambulance Service and State Emergency Services; members of the legal fraternity involved in proceedings following the fire; representatives of victims’ support organisations; and members of the wider Childers community.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands on which we gather, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here this afternoon.

Twenty-five years ago, today, Australians woke to the horrifying news that a fire had engulfed the Palace Backpackers hostel in Childers, resulting in the loss of fifteen lives.

The news spread quickly around the world—as this incident did not impact just our state and nation, but had a reach that extended far beyond our shores—a story made even more tragic by the facts that the fire had been deliberately lit, and that those who died were mostly young travellers, who had their whole lives ahead of them.

This afternoon, we meet—with a deep sense of togetherness—to remember the individuals who died on that dreadful day, and to reflect on the profound impact this ordeal has had on so many. While the years have not diminished the pain, outrage, and enormous sadness, this awful event forged a special, unbreakable bond that intrinsically connects those involved, and reminds us all, that humanity, at its finest, has the power to do significant good.

Alongside those who died that day, we pay tribute to:

• The families of the victims, who were forced to deal with the devastating consequences;
• The fellow backpackers who courageously helped each other to safety in terrifying conditions;
• The members of the Queensland Fire Department and Rural Fire Service, the Queensland Police Service, the Queensland Ambulance Service, and the State Emergency Service, who had to face the confronting scene, and performed their duties with tremendous skill and bravery;
• The Consulate and Embassy representatives who so swiftly and capably offered their assistance;
• And of course, the leaders, councillors, and people of Childers who showed the world that a small community was capable of immense generosity and kindness—not only by providing the essentials, but by opening their hearts to the young survivors, as if they were their own sons and daughters.

This shared tragedy brought together strangers, who now call each other friends.

It galvanised a change to legislation around fire safety for budget accommodation that has no doubt saved the lives of other young people, who carry forward the same admirable spirit of adventure as these backpackers did then.

I hope that all of those affected by the fire and its aftermath, can take solace in knowing that as a state, and as a nation, we will never forget those who died that day, and we hold their memories close.

The town of Childers, which was thrust so brutally into the international spotlight, has led the way in this regard. The former hostel houses a permanent memorial, where since October 2002, more than one million people have paid their respects. And the special musical work being performed for us today, will further explore the ways this remarkable community came together to help.

As Governor of Queensland, and on behalf of the people of this state, I thank those who have travelled to be with us for this commemoration and express my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those whose lives were taken, and whose memory we are honouring today.