Family gives evidence at inquest into disappearance of young Kowanyama mum in 2013

An inquest into the disappearance of a young Kowanyama mother in 2013 has heard of her family’s anguish since she went missing.

AN INQUEST into the disappearance of a young Kowanyama mother in 2013 has heard of her family’s anguish since she went missing.

Allison Neridine Bernard, 23-years-old and mother to two children, was last seen at the Archer River Quarry on the night of February 10, 2013.

No trace of her has ever been found.

In an opening statement to a pre-inquest conference last month, counsel assisting Melia Benn said it was Archer River Quarry caretaker Thomas Byrnes who was the last to see Ms Bernard alive.

Her mother Edwina Bernard, stepmother Dellis Burns, and uncle Teddy Bernard made the trip to Cairns on Tuesday for the first day of the inquest.

Allison Bernard's mother and uncle Edwina Bernard and Teddy Bernard, pictured with a photo of Ms Bernard (left) with her grandmother and sister. The pair were in the Cairns Coroner's Court on the first day of the coronial inquest into Ms Bernard's disappearance. Picture: Brendan Radke

Giving evidence in the Cairns Coroner’s Court, Mr Bernard said he never in his life thought he would have to file a missing persons report for a family member.

“It’s been hard on us, especially when there’s two children involved,” Mr Bernard told the court, overcome by emotion.

“I sit and watch the TV every time and I see these missing people they somehow return and a miracle happens.

“It’s been eight years and I’ve always wanted that miracle. We all sit at home and we want that.”

Ms Bernard’s family all gave evidence to the court that she wasn’t ordinarily one to go with strangers and that she would maintain contact regularly.

The court also heard from Coen resident David Port, who at the time of Ms Bernard’s disappearance was working at the Archer River Roadhouse.

Allison Bernard went missing from the Archer River Quarry in Far North Queensland.

Mr Port told the court how he was having a beer by the Archer River Bridge with Kevin Jackson, owner of the Wolverton Station, from about 1.30pm on the Sunday, when a car of people arrived, including Ms Bernard.

At some point, Thomas Byrnes arrived at the river and the group all sat around drinking beer, the court heard.

Mr Port said he could tell Mr Byrnes was “keen” on Ms Bernard.

Ms Benn put it to Mr Port that he told police Mr Byrnes said “I wouldn’t mind bringing her back to the quarry”.

“He said it twice. I could tell Thomas was cracking on to her,” Mr Port said.

After drinking all afternoon, the court heard how Mr Byrnes and Mr Port ended up at the Exchange Hotel in Coen about 5pm.

Ms Bernard was also there.

Mr Byrnes offered Mr Port a lift home, and Mr Port told the court he was surprised to see Ms Bernard in the car with Mr Byrnes when it was time to leave.

Allison Bernard disappeared from Coen in Far North Queensland.

“Tom suggested he’d take her to the quarry and look after her at the quarry,” Mr Port said, explaining that was said to him within earshot of Ms Bernard, as they drove off from the pub.

The court heard Mr Port was dropped home at the Archer River Roadhouse and Mr Byrnes and Ms Bernard continued on their journey.

Mr Port told the court he’d heard rumours of Mr Byrnes being abusive towards women and choking his sexual partners but under cross examination from Mr Sheridan he admitted that was just gossip from the pub.

‘At any stage when you heard these rumours involving Thomas, did you at any stage ring up the police?” Mr Sheridan asked.

“No,” Mr Port answered.

Mr Port told the court that on the Monday following Ms Bernard’s disappearance, he saw Mr Byrnes talking to another man at the roadhouse and described Mr Byrnes as “fidgety”.

Under cross examination, Mr Port said the only thing he observed that led him to think Mr Byrnes was “fidgety” was that he didn’t have a relaxed face.

The inquest resumes on Wednesday.

Originally published as Family gives evidence at inquest into disappearance of young Kowanyama mum in 2013