Biggest stories on the Sunshine Coast in 2023 revealed
As we farewell 2023, take a look back at the heartbreaking tragedies, heart-stopping triumphs and everything in between which rocked the Sunshine Coast this year.
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From heartfelt tributes to stories that shocked the region, 2023 has been a big year for news on the Sunshine Coast.
The region has dealt with stories that pulled at heartstrings, bombshell political news and high-profile court cases, along with amazing tales of survival and success.
As we farewell 2023, take a look at some of the biggest stories to have impacted our community this year:
Two men survive 100km/h ocean plane crash off Sunshine Coast
The region was left stunned after two men, aged 59 and 51, miraculously walked out of hospital mere hours after their plane ditched in waters off the Sunshine Coast on November 10.
It was understood a 1979 Cessna 421C registered to a Moffat Beach address was headed from Sunshine Coast Airport to Pago Pago in American Samoa when it suddenly got into trouble and lost altitude while returning to the airport.
The plane ditched into the water at 100km/h and the two men were rescued quickly from a sinking life raft, but they avoided serious injury.
They told their rescuers the plane bounced once on its belly and then dug in on the second time hitting the ocean. They were not thrown around the cabin at all and were taken to hospital only as a precaution.
Federal triple-fatal
One of the biggest and most heartbreaking stories of the year came on the morning three people, including a good Samaritan, were killed in a horror triple fatal crash on the Bruce Hwy.
Gypsy Rose Satterley, Terry Bishop, and Jessica Townley were killed in a horror fatal crash on the Bruce Hwy at Federal, north of Noosa, in the early hours of July 21.
Ms Satterley, 25, had been picked up by good Samaritan Mr Bishop, 65, after she flagged him down on the side of the road.
But the pair were allegedly chased and rammed by a stolen vehicle, allegedly driven by Ms Satterley’s partner Rafferty Rolfe, before Mr Bishop’s car lost control and collided with another car driven by 38-year-old Ms Townley in another lane.
A close friend of Ms Satterley later revealed a tragic sliding doors moment before the deadly accident.
“She was meant to be at my house last night but I missed her call and she never showed,” she said.
“This time there was no tomorrow.”
Mr Rolfe was charged with robbery, dangerous operation of a vehicle and three counts of murder, one of which is a domestic violence offence. He has not entered any pleas.
Bonza takes off
Sunshine Coast-based airline Bonza officially took flight in January and the region was electric to hear where the new company was planning to fly to.
It was reported the company started with 13 destinations, 10 of which had never been serviced before from the Sunshine Coast, including Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Proserpine, Rockhampton, Tamworth, Coffs Harbour, Port Macquarie, Newcastle, Albury, Avalon, Melbourne and Mildura.
Sunshine Coast Airport chief executive Andrew Brodie said the new airline would boost the Sunshine Coast from the 10th to the second most domestically connected airport in Queensland and bring an additional 772,000 seats into the region in the first year.
Tributes left at site of major road tragedy
A tribute story following the tragic death of a 19-year-old pulled at the heart strings of our readers.
Sorawit “JJ” Nganprateepkul died in a tragic incident at a major Sunshine Coast road on Thursday, February 16, sparking an emotional tribute at the site of the tragedy.
Flowers, cards, photos, silver chains, and a basketball that stated “fly high JJ” with a heart.were left at the scene, but it was a heartbreaking letter that caught the attention of passers-by.
“I can’t thank you enough for always being there for me,” the letter stated.
“We will never forget the way your smile lights up the room,” it stated.
“You’re a sweet, caring and generous soul, and we will always remember that.”
Mark Jamieson announces he is not running for Mayor in 2024
Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson shocked the region when he announced he would not contest the 2024 local government election in March.
Mr Jamieson has spent 12 years at the top job and cited family reasons for his decision, saying he planned to spend more time with his wife Lorrell and his family.
“I wanted to let the people of the Sunshine Coast know in plenty of time and how much I have appreciated serving them, the privilege it has been, and the fact that I have thoroughly enjoyed working with our council team doing a lot of great things for the region,” he told the media outside the Sunshine Coast City Hall in Maroochydore on November 10.
He said his final term as Mayor will end once the new council is elected.
Christella Tan killed in schoolzone fatal crash
The region was devastated after loved wife and carer Christella Tan, 52, was killed in a crash caused by an allegedly stolen car near a school zone in Burnside on September 15.
Ms Tan was remembered for her “smile and acts of kindness” after she was killed by an allegedly stolen Mercedes driving in the wrong direction. She was returning from a night shift.
Described as caring and compassionate, her widow Bernard Wee released a statement following her death, remembering his kind wife.
“Stella was my soulmate and the true love of my life. I miss her and love her so much,” Mr Wee said.
“Everyone will always remember her for her smile and acts of kindness.”
Izak Kane Sefton-Bennett, who was allegedly driving the Mercedes, was charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death adversely affected by an intoxicating substance as well as callous disregard to deceased.
He is yet to enter any pleas.
Infamous Buderim mega mansion demolished
A Buderim mega mansion once owned by an American millionaire became a hot topic of conversation in September after it was demolished to make way for a new development.
The mansion, at 7 Riverview Ave in Buderim, was once known as Queensland’s most expensive private home and had an estimated sale price of $25m in 2008.
But after sitting half-finished and empty for more than a decade, it was torn down.
The home made headlines in 2006 when neighbours took its owner, American millionaire Ron Miller, his wife, the then Maroochy Shire Council, developer Kate Dillon and a building certifier to court over an extension. The neighbours lost.
This extension was rumoured to include a concrete enforced nuclear bunker.
Now, the concrete mega mansion the same size as 14 two bedroom apartments was demolished in preparation to be subdivided, much to the delight of neighbours.
Kelly Liddicoat found guilty after bus mechanic deaths trial
Emotions spilled over in Maroochydore District Court after a jury found Warana woman Kelly Renee Liddicoat guilty of causing the deaths of two young bus mechanics at Woombye.
Ms Liddicoat, 44, was found guilty of one charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death while adversely affected by an intoxicating substance. It took the jury less than two hours to return their verdict.
She was charged after she hit and killed Baringa man Lleyton Bartlett, 22, and Currimundi man Aaron Pitt, 25, who were repairing a broken down bus on Nambour Connection Rd at Woombye on April 21, 2022.
Liddicoat is due to be sentenced on April 15, 2024. An appeal against conviction was lodged on November 15.
Jasmyne Lloyd and Joy Charlton killed by falling tree
The new year was off to a tragic start after Joy Charlton, 80, and Jasmyne Lloyd, 20, were killed by a tree falling on their car at the Glasshouse Mountains.
Ms Lloyd and Mrs Charlton were travelling south along Old Gympie Rd, Glasshouse Mountains at 12.20pm Saturday, December 31, when the tragedy struck.
The news sparked an outpouring of grief on social media, including from Mrs Lloyd’s devastated husband Dylan. The couple had been married for three months and 29 days, prior to Mrs Lloyd passing.
“No words can describe my heartbreak,” he said.
Mrs Charlton’s only daughter, Tennille said her mum was “exactly what her name says” and was always making people laugh by telling jokes.
Light rail proposal scrapped by State government
Sunshine Coast residents who fought hard against a controversial light rail proposal on the beachside are celebrating following the state government’s selection for the mass transit project.
It comes as the state government identified bus rapid transit as the preferred vehicle option for the Sunshine Coast Public Transport project.
The decision marks one of the biggest milestones for the project – formerly known as Sunshine Coast Mass Transit – during its 12-year history – putting to rest the alternative for light rail as part of the project.
Beach Matters Group’s Rachael Bermingham said she was elated by the result after advocating strongly against light rail for two years.
“It’s really great to have TMR listen to the community,” Ms Bermingham said.
“The Sunshine Coast can’t wait five or ten years for the light rail. They need action now. Something that was cheaper and wouldn’t break the bank for ratepayers.
“It’s a great result.”
Tributes for former elite school principal after sudden death
A prestigious private school on the Sunshine Coast mourned the death of a much-loved principal this year.
Maria Woods passed away towards the end of the year, with the Sunshine Coast Grammar School community learning of her death in November.
Current Sunshine Coast Grammar School principal Anna Owen paid tribute to her predecessor in a separate letter emailed out to her school community.
“Mrs Woods has had a significant impact on the lives of so many young people during her 10-year service at Sunshine Coast Grammar School as well as the further Sunshine Coast and Brisbane regions over the time of her esteemed career,” Ms Owen said.
Young football star killed in late night walk home from gym
A talented and hard working member of the Melbourne Storm junior academy and Langer Trophy player died in a tragic road accident, sparking tributes from former teachers and coaches.
Image Flat teen Benjamin Hunter, 16, died after he was struck by a vehicle shortly before midnight on Sunday, June 25.
The talented teen was a member of the Melbourne Storm junior academy, Caloundra State High School student and Langer Trophy player, a Brisbane Broncos supporter and a talented Nambour Crushers and Sunshine Coast Falcons player.
Tributes flowed from many sectors of the community, including Sunshine Coast Falcons coach Tim Baldwin.
“He was a tough kid on the field, really skilful and played with a lot of passion as he loved rugby league,” Mr Baldwin said.
“Off the field he had a loveable personality that was very lighthearted.”
No one has been charged over the incident.
Tributes for fit, active mum after sudden death
Tributes flowed for a beloved mum-of-two and football club volunteer and player, as her partner recounts the memories he will hold dear.
Woombye Snakes Football Club secretary Amber Stokes had spent Tuesday morning, July 4, doing all the things she would normally including going for a run.
The fit, active 46-year-old returned home, lay on her bed and then passed out.
The football community mourned Ms Stokes’ shock death and Mr Kinden said she was a “beautiful person” in every way.
“She’s everyone’s friend, so kind and always with a smile on her face,” he said.
‘Victim of beach bullies, break-in’: MAFS’ star’s headline-making history
She’s now known as the “powerhouse in sexy curvy package” Qld bride cruelly matched with primary-school teacher-turned Married At First Sight villain groom Tim but it’s not the first-time an emotional Katie has been in the media spotlight.
Family’s heart-wrenching tribute to teen killed in waterfall tragedy
The family of the 17-year-old girl who died in the Sunshine Coast waterfall double tragedy gathered to remember her ‘free-spirited’, ‘kind’ nature and also spoke of the boy who tried to save her.