Mackay mum Natalie Frahm remembered by friends at Mang gon Thai Boxing gym

The loss of a Mackay mother horrifically taken has left a big hole in the lives of her gym family, who remember her as a ‘fiercely strong, proud mum’. See her doing what she loved.

“I was at home at the time and everything stopped for me.”

Lulu Mollis said it was her friendship with Natalie Frahm that made her go to the Mang gon Thai Boxing gym on Wood St, but a phone call on Wednesday night brought everything to a shocking conclusion.

Natalie’s alleged murder by gunman Ryan Cole on June 19 has rocked Lulu and the rest of the small but tight community at the Muay Thai gym.

“It’s unfathomable,” Lulu said of the loss.

Lulu Mollis, 38, and Tiffany Mulligan, 19, boxed with Natalie Frahm at Mang gon Thai Boxing gym and said her alleged murder was "unfathomable". Photo: Zoe Devenport

“Not someone so beautiful, not just aesthetic but a beautiful person who would do anything to help you.

“She was inspirational, she was fiercely strong, a very proud mum, and she had very big arms so … if you ever had a slack moment in the gym, she would make sure you pushed yourself harder.

Natalie Frahm was killed on June 19, 2024, with the alleged shooter, Ryan Cole, 31, charged with murder. Picture: Supplied

“This is a very small club but she’s left a very big hole here.”

Fellow boxer Tiffany Mulligan added it would not be the same without her.

While Natalie had not been in Mackay for long after moving from Mount Isa, Tiffany said since she worked from home the gym “was sort of her social thing”.

“She will be really missed by everyone, everyone loved her,” Tiffany said.

Natalie Frahm at Mang gon Thai Boxing gym. Photo: Tiffany Mulligan

They said most of Natalie’s family members had been to the gym at one time or another, with her two children following their mother into martial arts training.

Owner Nicolaas Van Der Zee set up a GoFundMe to raise money for Natalie’s two children on Thursday and, by Friday, blasted past a ten grand target with $12,000 of donations.

The target has since been raised to $20,000 and Mr Van Der Zee thanked the entire community for their generosity.

“We reached our total in just over 12 hours,” he said.

“Thank you for opening up your hearts and for giving us whatever has been possible for you to give, every donation large and small we really appreciate.”

Mang gon Thai Boxing gym owner Nicolaas Van Der Zee and Archibald Gafney, 7. Photo: Zoe Devenport

When asked whether they would plan a vigil, all said they would like to plan some kind of event to mourn their friend.

Lulu said while they could “only process it from our perspective”, the tragic incident only added to record numbers of women being killed “at the national level”.

Mackay mayor Greg Williamson said the community is still reeling from the outrageous violence that claimed Natalie’s life.

“Our hearts go out to Natalie and her family and friends, especially the two young girls who witnessed the shooting, as well as the Good Samaritan neighbour who was shot and injured when going to their aid,” Mr Williamson said.

“It is unbelievable that this seemingly random attack in a quiet South Mackay neighbourhood has happened in our community.”