Six years on from Toyah Cordingley’s death we asked women across the community if they feel any safer

A retired midwife struck a lone figure on the beach where Toyah Cordingley was brutally killed the day after a jury was dismissed in her murder trial.

A retired midwife struck a lone figure on the beach where Toyah Cordingley was brutally killed the day after a jury was dismissed in her murder trial.

The 70-year-old, with her small dog by her side, had no cell service and was 40 minutes from Cairns’ CBD.

Christine Furniss said it wasn’t fair that a young woman, Ms Cordingley, 24, could be killed in the afternoon of October 22, 2018.

But she refuses to be a prisoner in her own backyard.

“All I could think was, another one (woman’s death) — it’s just not fair is it?,” Ms Furniss said.

“You should be allowed to go for a walk on the beach by yourself and feel safe.

“Time will move on, people will move on but the family won’t. Every Christmas, every birthday every event she won’t be there and that’s awful.”

The Cairns community is still feeling the impact of Toyah Cordingley’s death in 2018. Women across Cairns have reported feeling less safe and are not venturing into the regions hidden gems out of fear for their safety. Picture: Brendan Radke

As a critical care nurse and midwife, Ms Furniss saw the impact of gender based violence first-hand, she treated sexual assault survivors, women who were forced to undergo home abortions and physically abused patients.

The retiree moved to Mt Sheridan two years ago burnt out from the exhaustion of it.

“You see a lot of sadness in my line of work, a lot of sadness and a lot of ignorance,” Ms Furniss said.

“So you get some background to what is really happening... these women they’d have to do abortions and some died from toxic poison.

“You would see all kinds of skewers and knitting needles and hooks and wires- and they’d die that way. It’s awful.”

She had hoped tropical paradise would offer some relief; but in November 2023 thieves allegedly broke into her home, stole her car and destroyed it. Now she’s scared in her own home.

“I think about it all the time,” Ms Furniss said.

“They went into the house through the garage took and took the car, went through the gate and wrecked my car.

“Now I have lighting, security, alarms ... I feel like I’m a prisoner in my own home.”

Many constituents have told Cairns Mayor Amy Eden that they are feeling unsafe and uneasy in more remote locations across the Far North. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden said Ms Furniss was not alone; many feel scared and some had sadly left the region as a result.

“I have heard from many constituents who feel deeply uneasy, even unsafe, in certain areas,” Ms Eden said.

“Many have shared that their spouses and friends feel the same. When I ask why, the response is often a general but powerful feeling of vulnerability — an unease shaped by recent events, the media, and a broader concern about safety in isolated locations.

“Like many women, I instinctively assess risk wherever I go — whether it’s the beach, the city, or a drive up the range.

“Toyah’s story is a heartbreaking reminder that safety isn’t something we should have to second-guess, but the reality is that many of us do.”

Ms Eden’s comments were reverberated by other women community leaders including Cairns Chambers of Commerce chief executive Patricia O’Neill.

Ms O'Neill said flatly there weren’t many places she felt safe walking alone at night anymore.

The Cairns Chamber of Commerce chief executive Patricia O'Neill said an element of fear was always present in many women and that societal changes in the last 10-20 years have changed what and where women will go. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I just think it’s just unfortunate that the state of the world at the moment no matter where you go there’s always going to be that element of fear regardless.

“There’s always an element in my mind that you know be aware of your surroundings.

“There are so many influences on people’s behaviours that probably wasn’t there 10-20 years ago that now makes us make different decisions as to what we are game to do and what we’re not.”

Krav Maga Cairns instructor Paul Ford, who runs women’s safety and self defence courses, said he was nearly booked out following February’s alleged assault.

“I’ve got a lot of inquiries already and a lot of it’s because that incident that happened recently,” Mr Ford said.

“A lot of it (interest) is females, you know, they’re obviously concerned.

“The police do a great job, but you can’t expect the police to be there to save you when it first happens .. .and I think a lot of people are disappointed in repeat offenders being allowed back out to recommit their crimes.”

Mr Ford said his clients told him they felt safer and confident because their classes taught real life scenarios like eye-gouging, kicking and throat punching.

“We train in a toilet block from time to time,” Mr Ford said.

“We train in the dark from time to time, just to put it into a realistic sort of situation, because you don’t get attacked in a dojo.”

Since moving to Cairns a few years ago Christine Furniss has been broken into and had her car totalled. The retired midwife said women had to keep exploring places like Wangetti Beach to avoid becoming prisoners in their own community. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Furniss said she was tired of letting fear stop her from going to places like Wangetti Beach.

“It makes you think twice doesn’t it?” Ms Furniss said.

“I tend to think about it a lot, but it won’t stop me doing it (going to the beach).

“If you stop doing it then you’re a prisoner in your own community.”

Rajwinder Singh, 40, has been charged with Ms Cordingley’s murder. A jury was unable to make unanimous decision this week and was dismissed. The retrial is expected to be held later this year.

Originally published as Six years on from Toyah Cordingley’s death we asked women across the community if they feel any safer