Toyah’s mum talks about refreshing her daughter’s Wangetti Beach monument

Almost six years on from the alleged murder of Toyah Cordingley, family and friends have gathered at Wangetti Beach to restore a monument celebrating the life of the forever 24-year-old.

Standing in front of a vibrant memorial adorned with sunflowers and dreamcatchers, Vanessa Gardiner gently holds a framed photograph of her late daughter, Toyah. Picture: Emma Cam.

Standing in front of a vibrant memorial adorned with sunflowers and dreamcatchers, Vanessa Gardiner gently holds a framed photograph of her late daughter, Toyah. 

The memorial wall, rich in colour and adorned with handmade ornaments and personal touches, was built by Ms Gardiner at her home in Cairns.

It serves as a testament to her much-loved daughter’s vibrant personality and a place where she can always feel close to her.

In a rare appearance Vanessa Gardiner, Toyah's mum restores the monument ahead of the sixth anniversary of her daughter’s death. Picture: Emma Cam.

Even in the face of unimaginable loss, Ms Gardiner found the strength to express her deep gratitude for the community’s unwavering support.

“I want to say thank you to the community for their continued support,” she said.

As the anniversary of Toyah Cordingley’s alleged murder reaches six years, family and friends also gathered at Wangetti Beach this week as a mark of respect and to restore and “re-energise” her monument.

Toyah Cordingley was killed at Wangetti Beach on October 21, 2018 in a crime that shocked the Far North Queensland community. Picture: Facebook

Family friend Wayne “Prong” Trimble said this restoration was important for the family and the community.

“We felt it was due, particularly for the time with it being six years since the crime happened here on the beach, on October 21, 2018,” he said.

Having built the concrete slab on site more than five years ago, the rest of the monument had been constructed in his backyard during a rigorous 36 hour process.

Toyah's memorial received a fresh coat of paint, new sand, and a careful tidying of the trinkets. Picture: Wayne Trimble.

Mr Trimble said they wanted to have the site cleaned before the next anniversary of her death.

“The reason we built it was to give people somewhere to come and grieve, for Toyah, and there was really nowhere to come and do it,” he said.

“I think Toyah would really appreciate us still being here and this is the first time Vanessa has been back on the site.”

Toyah’s accused killer Rajwinder Singh will face trial for murder in February next year.

Her mother remembers her as Toyah Jade.

Originally published as Toyah’s mum talks about refreshing her daughter’s Wangetti Beach monument