Tim Mulherin supports poster campaign
Article first published on Sunday, 21 November 2004 @ 3:04:06 PM
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Mackay Port Authority Tim Mulherin supports poster campaign Article first published on Sunday, 21 November 2004 @ 3:04:06 PM |
Speech to parliament by Tim Mulherin MP Member for Mackay
On Thursday, October 28, I had the privilege to attend the Daniel Morcombe poster campaign launch at Mackay Airport.
14 year-old Daniel Morcombe’s disappearance from a Sunshine Coast bus stop near Maroochydore on December 7th last year continues to be an unsolved mystery that haunts his family, friends and communities throughout Queensland.
Yet Daniel’s parents, Bruce and Denise Morcombe present an extraordinary example of strength and courage in the face of what has to be one of the most devastating and heartbreaking experiences.
It is hoped that the poster campaign, which is an initiative of the Mackay Port Authority, will help solve this mystery, and bring some peace to the Morcombes.
The campaign has been embraced not only by the Mackay community, but also the city of Cairns and it’s Port Authority.
By joining forces with the Queensland Police Service, the Mackay and Cairns Port Authorities are participating in a ground-breaking project that is raising the awareness of, and encouraging communities to be proactive in responding to situations like Daniel’s.
It was wonderful to see Mr and Mrs Morcombe attend the poster campaign launch, courtesy of Virgin Blue airlines, offering many thanks for the tremendous support the project received on a corporate, community and media basis.
They were also hopeful about the positive results a project of this magnitude could afford.
Mr Morcombe was reported as stating in a news article that appeared in the Daily Mercury the following day - Friday, October 29 that the poster campaign would make a difference not only in Daniel’s case, but perhaps in saving a kid in a similar situation - as a warning, or a deterrent to someone who would consider going down the same unsavoury path.
The placement of information and reward posters at the Mackay and Cairns airports has already generated enormous media coverage and public interest.
It is hoped that the campaign will impact on the influx of holiday makers passing through the Mackay Airport during the upcoming Christmas holidays.
I take this time to pay tribute to Col Wilson – Communications Manager of the Mackay Port Authority, who worked tirelessly to co-ordinate the project. Col is a dedicated member of the Mackay community whose professionalism and community spirit are regarded as an asset to our city.I thank Col, the Mackay Port Authority, the Queensland Police Service, Virgin Blue airlines, and everyone involved in helping the campaign get off the ground.
I would also like to advise that a special memorial service will be held for Daniel on Tuesday, December 7th at St Catherine’s of Sienna church on the Siena College School grounds at Sippy Downs. Let us all turn our thoughts towards the Morcombe family on this day.
FOOTNOTE: Channel Seven will screen a special documentary on Daniel's disappearance at 630 tonight.