‘Never meant to be apart’: Widow’s tribute five years on

A widow has described her late husband as her “love” on the fifth anniversary of his passing, after he was killed by a drunk driver.

David Mallett was killed on July 6, 2020 in Bundaberg after being struck by a stolen car. Picture: 7News Brisbane

Widow Julie Mallett has described her late husband, David Mallett, as her “love” on the anniversary of his passing after he was killed by a drunk driver.

It’s been five years since the Sunshine Coast couple was torn apart, when Mr Mallett was struck and killed in Bundaberg by a drunk driver in a stolen car who veered onto the path on July 6, 2020.

Robert Noel Fisher, 29 at the time, pleaded guilty to dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance, burglary and unlawful use of a vehicle.

Mr Fisher was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on October 6, 2021, with a non-parole period of eight years, with 455 days of custody prior to his sentence declared as time already served.

Julie Mallett with a photo of her husband David, who was hit by a stolen car.

In a post made on Facebook on Sunday, Mrs Mallett reflected on the changing seasons since her husband passed away.

“As seasons come and seasons go, each year that passes seems to linger and slow. Each anniversary is like the seasons that have gone, memories they come, they go, but I try so hard to hang on,” she wrote.

“Gazing over the ocean as the changing tides ebb and flow, but unlike the tide you will never return I know. I sit under a tree looking through twisted branches … I’m reminded of the past, my tangled life that now flashes in unexpected glances.

“I watch a storm loom over the ocean as it encircles the light, creating a reflection of the storm in my soul like an endless emotion. Watching the sun struggle to break through the storm clouds, so too my heart struggles to break through the sound of infinite silence that is so loud.

“It takes deep sadness to know true happiness … it takes much noise to know immeasurable silence … it takes absence to know how much I was truly loved.”

She said her heartache will never fade, but her love for Mr Mallett will “forever stay”.

“Farewell, my love, you’ve been gone so long. You gave me your love you gave me your heart, we were never meant to be apart,” she wrote.

Youth Justice Minister Laura Gerber said she had been in regular contact with Ms Mallett, including calling her on the anniversary of her husband’s death on Sunday.

“I’ve spoken with Julie today, and today will be a very difficult day for her,” she said.

“I send my deepest sympathies to her, and I can’t even comprehend the pain that she’d be going through today.”

David Mallett was killed after being struck by a stolen car. Picture: Facebook

Ms Gerber, asked if the state government was considering expanding or increasing assistance payments for secondary crime victims like Ms Mallett, said it would be reviewed through the development of the professional victims advocate service which is due to start in 2026.

Ms Mallett had already received a CTP payout separate to Victim Assist.

However, Ms Mallett says she can no longer afford counselling and is not eligible for a second payment under Victim Assist Queensland.

“If the scheme that the victim receives assistance under is greater than the payout that they might get from Victim Assist Queensland, then the scheme that’s greater is preferred for that victim,” Ms Gerber said.

“Julie was deemed eligible. It’s just that the compensation scheme that she received compensation under provided her with more compensation than what she could have got under victim assist Queensland.

“Currently, secondary victims of crime can receive support … They can receive up to $75,000 in relation to a payment, in relation to psychological treatments, therapy, psychology, as well as support and assistance in filling out forms.

“Now it is not perfect, because Julie’s experience tells us that, which is why we have a professional victims advocate service that we’re developing.”

Ms Gerber said she would be lobbying the federal government to introduce a widow’s pension.

In a powerful speech delivered to the court during Mr Fisher’s sentencing, Mrs Mallet revealed she was speaking to her husband at the time of the accident.

She recalls hearing him say, “Oh no”, just before a loud noise, and then the line went silent.

“At the exact moment he left, every single thing in my life changed, David’s death literally changed every single thing in my world going forward,” she said in her speech.