On February 9, 2013, 23-year-old Shandee Blackburn was walking home from work in Mackay when she was attacked just metres from home and stabbed multiple times.

Her murder shocked our community. There was eventually a trial and an acquittal — but tonight, I want to go beyond the court case and the headlines.

I sit down with Shandee’s mum, Vicki Blackburn, to talk about who Shandee really was, the unimaginable loss of a daughter, and the fight for answers that has followed.

This is Vicki’s hardest story.

This episode of The Hardest Story deals with a subject that can bring up some very strong opinions - voluntary assisted dying.

Patricia's dad was just 62 when, after two and a half years of treatment for terminal bowel cancer, he made the decision to access VAD in 2024.

He was a man who'd spent much of his life helping others, including as Vice President of Volunteer Marine Rescue. Today, this isn't a debate about VAD, it's about one family,one decision, and what it was like for a daughter to say goodbye to her dad. This is Patricia's hardest story.

On 13 February 2022, Helen Louise Barnett vanished without a trace just 300 metres from her home, south of Mackay. Despite extensive search efforts, she has never been found.

In Episode 4 of The Hardest Story, I'm joined by Helen's close friend, Michelle Cain, who has never given up hope. Together, we explore the heartbreak, the unanswered questions, and why Michelle is determined to keep searching until Helen is brought home.

Nine-year-old Annie's life changed forever when she was severely burnt. In this powerful episode of The Hardest Story with Jay Shipston, Annette Swann, author of Burnt Face: Scarred for Life, shares the heartbreaking journey of surviving childhood trauma, living with physical and emotional scars, and finding the strength to rebuild her life. By telling her story, Annette hopes others facing their own battles will know they're not alone and that healing is possible.

Eight years ago, Sonya’s world changed forever when her 20-year-old son, Aiden, died by suicide. It’s a loss no parent should ever have to experience, yet today she joins me with incredible courage to talk about what happened, what came after, and how she’s found a way to keep moving forward.

***This episode discusses suicide, so please take care while listening. If this conversation brings up difficult emotions for you, support is available through Lifeline on 13 11 14***

In 2005, Mandy Davison lost her husband, Christian, and their six-year-old daughter, Samantha, in a tragic boating accident near Mackay.Now, for the first time, Mandy shares with me, what it was really like to live through it, how she found the strength to keep going, and the life she’s built since.

The Hardest Story is a podcast where ordinary people share the most difficult chapter of their lives—and how they found the strength to keep going. Honest, raw and deeply human, these conversations remind us that even in our darkest moments, hope is never out of reach.