Show Notes
On June 23, 2000, the Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers was set alight while its guests slept. It was the worst arson attack in Queensland history. The perpetrator, Robert Long, was sentenced to 20 years in prison on arson and two counts of murder. 15 people were killed. 69 managed to escape but their lives would never be the same. This is the full story of the miraculous tales of escape, bravery and pure selflessness by a community which wrapped its arms around these young men and women from across the world and took them in as their own. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/childers. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/childers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Childers
The family of Irish backpacker Julie O'Keeffe remember her in this emotional episode on the 25th anniversary of the fire Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/childers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sam di Mauro was responsible for developing the Memorial to the victims of the Palace fire. On the 25th anniversary he reflects on the work he created Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/childers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dutch backpacker Rob Jansen escaped the Palace Hostel fire. He has returned to pay his respects and say thank you to the local community on the 25th anniversary Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/childers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Daiman McIntyre met Seb and Adam as young backpackers in early 2000. In this episode he returns to Childers for the first time in 24 years and reflects on his time spent with his travel buddies Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/childers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bob Winkelmann & Hayden Whitaker were the first-responder fire fighters when the Palace Backpacker Hostel was set alight. 25 years on they sat down to reflect on that night, the work required to put out the blaze and the efforts to get people out of the building. Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/childers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.