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.

Welcome to Childers

The Full Story of the Palace Backpackers Hostel Fire of June 2000 Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/childers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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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 everWritten and produced by Paul CochraneOriginal music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso 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.

22 - Farewell

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 CochraneOriginal music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso 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.

21 - Family

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 CochraneOriginal music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso 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.

20 - Neil

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 CochraneOriginal music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso 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.

19 - Legislation

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 CochraneOriginal music, sound design & editing by Zoltan Fecso 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.

Welcome to Childers

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