Christian Mackay left paralysed after brutal neighbour attack in Bundaberg

Christian Mackay, a 25-year-old dad originally from Bundaberg, is speaking out for the first time about the brutal 2020 attack that left him paralysed and with a permanent brain injury.

A young man who was brutally assaulted by a neighbour wielding a metal pole after a noise dispute is speaking out about the shocking attack for the first time.

Christian Mackay, then 20, was left paralysed and with a catastrophic brain injury after the shocking incident in 2020.

Timothy Clinton Edwards, 34, was last week sentenced to 11 years and nine months in jail after attacking Mr Mackay on April 14, 2020, in a rage that Judge Brad Farr described as “extraordinarily serious.”

Although Edwards pleaded guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm while armed, burglary in the night while armed, and committing a malicious act with intent, along with four summary offences, all involving violence, the road to justice has been agonisingly slow for Christian and his family, with the court case taking more than four years to come to a conclusion.

Tensions boiled over between Edwards and his then neighbours on that fateful evening in 2020 following a string of noise complaints.

Edwards broke into the property armed with a metal pole and reportedly threatened a woman holding a baby.

Christian intervened to protect her, a move his grandmother and carer, Rhonda Mackay, called heroic.

Christian Mackay, now 25, opens up about the violent attack that changed his life forever.

“You’re a hero,” Ms Mackay told her grandson, who cannot remember the day of the attack or even what his assailant looks like.

Despite his injuries, Christian has adopted an optimistic outlook.

“Don’t worry, be happy,” he said, summing up his new mantra.

However, the aftermath of the attack has been life-altering.

Once a bar worker with aspirations of joining the Army, Mr Mackay struggles with communication, paralysis on his right side, and the inability to perform simple tasks like writing.

He also faces challenges in connecting with his daughter due to his disabilities.

Mr Mackay’s journey has been marked by immense resilience as his grandmother stands steadfast by his side as his carer.

Christian Mackay and his grandmother Rhonda share their journey through recovery after the brutal assault.

“I’m his grandmother first, then his carer, then his administrator, then his driver, then his slave,” she said.

They navigate an intense therapy schedule, with Mr Mackay attending sessions four days a week.

Ms Mackay praised the support they receive through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), emphasising its critical role in Christian’s recovery.

However, she fears funding cuts could jeopardise his progress.

“It would be devastating to Christian’s road to recovery if [NDIS] is cut,” she said, adding that they’ve already lost funding for vital speech therapy sessions and music therapy.
Ms Mackay expressed frustration with the justice system, pointing out Edwards had a violent history.

Christian Mackay

“He was a ticking time bomb,” she said, calling for stricter measures against violent offenders.

While Christian’s recovery continues, the shadow of the attack looms large.

“Will it ever be over?” Ms Mackay asked.

Still, amid their struggles, Christian and Rhonda are determined to make the most of life.

They’ve travelled to Fiji, India, and Sri Lanka, trips made possible by careful saving.

Christian has also taken up golf, learning to play one-handed with his two support workers who Ms Mackay said had become like family.

Although progress is slow, Ms Mackay said Mr Mackay’s determination and positivity remained unwavering.

“He’s still very intelligent,” she said, adding that he’s even begun beating everyone at board games.

Mr Mackay’s ultimate goal? To regain enough independence to drive a modified car.

With his family’s love and the right support, Ms Mackay believes anything is possible.

“Christian’s recovery is extensive and lifelong,” she said.

“But we are not giving up.”