CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS
Mr WILLCOX (Dawson) (10:54): Three years ago, in the dark of the night near Lindeman Island, four of Australia's finest military aviators vanished from radar. An Army MRH-90 Taipanhelicopter, call sign Bushman 83, crashed during a night exercise, leaving our nation shattered. In a single heartbreaking moment, we lost Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs.
When news of this tragedy broke, a wave of heartbreak swept right across the Whitsundays. Our local emergency responders, rescue crews and volunteers immediately launched into the darkness, searching—desperately trying to bring our boys home. From that night onwards, the Whitsundays did not just mourn four soldiers; we adopted their memory, and we wrapped our arms around their families as our very own.
Their story became our story. Our fine men and women train as they fight: pushing themselves to the absolute limit, to ensure they have the skills needed to protect our great country. When they deploy and go to war, they go to win, because, in the defence of our nation, second place is never an option.
That is the standard of excellence that our fine men and women from the military bring. And it is the standard our national security deserves. Last month I stood with their loved ones, our local first responders and the 6th Aviation Regiment at Shute Harbour in the Whitsundays.
There a lasting memorial, overlooking the Whitsunday Passage, was unveiled—a place where our region's beauty meets the heavy weight of our national grief. The unbreakable bond between the Whitsundays and these four brave men was forged during the critical days of the search. Local Queensland police, volunteer marine rescue crews, RACQ CQ Rescue and selfless SES volunteers worked tirelessly alongside the Defence Force, braving treacherous tides, deep waters and the pitch darkness off Lindeman Island.
Our community saw firsthand the unwavering grit and resolve of our local first responders, and they searched around the clock to bring our fallen heroes home. This defines the true spirit of Dawson and connects our region to Bushman 83 forever. This memorial guarantees that the courage, devotion and sacrifice of Bushman 83 will never fade.
To the families of the fallen: our community stands with you, today, tomorrow and forever. Your men will forever be held in a sacred place in the heart of the Whitsundays. Their duty is done.
Their memory is secure. Lest we forget.