Hervey Bay’s Keys and Co liquidation leaves mum in fear of a $16k kitchen unfinished

A customer of a Fraser Coast cabinet-maker which collapsed into liquidation fears her kitchen renovation worth thousands of dollars may now never be finished.

Jenny S kitchen reno, Fraser Coast.

A customer of a Fraser Coast cabinet-maker which collapsed into liquidation fears her kitchen renovation worth thousands of dollars may now never be finished.

Single mother Jenny Synnerdahl said she paid $16,000 to Hervey Bay business Keys and Co, before the parent company, JH Cabinets, went into voluntary liquidation on Monday, November 3.

Travis Pullen has been appointed liquidator.

Ms Synnerdahl said she chose Keys and Co because she was told once her old kitchen was gutted, the renovation “should only take a week”.

She said she explained that this quick turnaround was vital as Ms Synnerdahl’s son has autism and struggled with changes to his routine.

Ms Synnerdahl’s kitchen was partly ripped out on October, 28, just days before Keys and Co went into liquidation.

Ms Synnerdahl’s son has autism and struggles with changes to his routine.

Ms Synnerdahl said she paid an initial deposit of $1000 and made further payments, including having an electrician disconnect her oven, stovetop and microwave so that Keys and Co could rip out part of the kitchen on Tuesday, October 28.

That Thursday she signed a contract to confirm she agreed with what was going ahead, but said since Friday, October 31, had not heard from them again.

Initial communication with possible creditors said the liquidator was first contacted about the business back in August 2025.

Ms Synnerdahl said she felt particularly unnerved by the possibility that her renovation was quoted just before the company went bust.

She is one of several customers who say they have paid for work with the company before its liquidation.

Other Hervey Bay residents have claimed on a community Facebook group to have been caught up in the business collapse.

One Facebook commenter said they had “paid (Keys and Co) $18,500” and “haven’t been able to get in touch with (them) since Friday”.

Appointed liquidator Travis Pullen, who is acting on behalf of company director Jamie Mcauliffe and his wife Heidi, who may have operated multiple business entities, has commented on the matter.

“I note there are several customers who have paid deposits for works that are completed (but not delivered or installed), partially completed or some where work was not commenced at all,” Mr Pullen said.

Mr Pullen confirmed that because the business had ceased operation, it was not possible to arrange for any work to be completed for customers at this time.

“The plan is to sell the business as soon as possible, and we will be launching an expressions of interest campaign shortly, as I believe this will offer the best possibility of a return to creditors. If anyone is interested in purchasing the businesses, I urge them to contact our office as soon as possible.” Mr Pullen said.

A Tinana home owned by Mr Mcauliffe, according to RP Data online records, has been listed for sale.

The Mcauliffes’ family home has been listed for sale.

What concerns Ms Synnerdahl the most, however, is how it’s affecting her son who is wondering when their kitchen will be finished, a question she has no answers for.

“I hope by putting this out there someone will be able to help,” Ms Synnerdahl said.