Memorial for tragedy embraced by community

THE call for a memorial at the site of a tragedy that claimed four local lives is being welcomed by the Cooroy community.

Derek Lange, 11, his mother June, 30, Shayne Parker, 9, and Ricky von Blanckensee, 18, were all killed in a tragic accident at Cooroy Creek on Saturday 5 December 1981.

Now, 40 years later, the Cooroy Rag is advocating for a memorial to be erected at the site to remember them.

This is an initiative that the Cooroy community has embraced.

Iris Tomlinson said that she remembers the tragedy.

“A memorial could be put alongside the memorial to the Fenwick Family in the park.”

Sharen Widderick-Bell said it was a very sad day for Cooroy that devastated the community.

“A memorial would be a lovely tribute to those lost to their families.”

Maureen Bowden said a “memorial would be great” and Leanne Coles said that she hopes it will be allowed.

“Hopefully a memorial will be allowed as it was a dark day when this happened.”

With the support of the families of Derek, June, Shayne and Ricky, the Cooroy Rag has submitted an application to Noosa Council requesting approval for a memorial at the site of the tragedy.

The Cooroy Rag has received receipt of the application and told it will be reviewed by Council officers in accordance with the policy and policy guidelines, after which Council will advise in due course. What a fantastic event! Very grateful to have had the opportunity to have a stall - we raised over $1000 for our trauma programs! Thank you Saw & Mill and German Bakehouse Cafe - Cooroy for all your hard work putting together such a wonderful community event. And a big thank you to everyone that had a go at our Lob-a-Choc table - so much fun! (Apologies to all the parents that are dealing with the post-sugar-highs today). Can't wait for next year!

Hoofbeats Sanctuary Sunshine Coast

FREE I Phone: 5442 6699 I Email: editorial@cooroyrag.com.au I 6 October 2021

Forgotten tragedy of Cooroy Creek

BY ALEX PURCELL

FOR 40 years, one of the biggest tragedies in Cooroy has been largely forgotten. Four people, including two children, were electrocuted in Cooroy Creek in 1981. Derek Lange, 11, his mother June, 30, Shayne Parker, 9 and Ricky von Blanckensee, 18 were all killed on Saturday 5 December 1981 in a tragic accident.Husband of June and father of Derek, Terry Lange told the Cooroy Rag that because they lived in one of the two houses in front of the creek, the kids played in it “all the time”. But on this day, a hot December afternoon, they had made them a raft.“We had quite a bit of rain Cooroy Rag, 06 October 2021 - Page

beforehand and the creek always flooded. Water used to come up to the front steps of the house and we’d have to park the car up the street.“This day, the water had gone down but was still running reasonably well. “Derek and Shayne were on the raft and they grabbed a wire hanging over the creek to pull themselves along. But the wire was 'live' and nobody knew.”Tragically, the two Cooroy State School students were killed instantly.Terry said that he was inside the house when “all hell broke loose”. “We were planning a hungi for North Coast Sawmills' (our work) Social Club and [along with fellow worker, George Parker] had been out getting river rocks. “We were inside when my youngest came running in and said: ‘They’ve fallen in the creek and are not coming up’.”Terry raced outside and jumped into the creek - only to sink to the bottom.

“I jumped in but couldn’t move because of the electricity. As soon as I hit the water I sank to the bottom. “George and the others came out behind me and they dragged me out.” It was then that they discovered that Ricky von Blanckensee had also been killed.“None of us knew Ricky was in there.”The 18-year-old had jumped into the water after June to try and help. June and Ricky would later receive bravery awards for sacrificing their own lives. Ricky’s older brother, Cliff van Blankensee told the Cooroy Rag, that was just the way Ricky was. “He was very gentle and loving to everybody and anybody. He was a nice

young fella.”Cliff said he had been at his in-laws and it wasn’t until he got home that he learned the news of Ricky’s passing. “My brother was at the door waiting for us when we got home and told us the news. It was hard to believe. “It knocked a lot out of all of us but Dad took it really, really hard. He kept saying kids are supposed to bury their parents not the other way around.”Shayne’s father, George Parker told the Cooroy Rag that it’s something you never really get over. “It’s taken a long time but you never really get over something like this. “Shayne was a very thoughtful young fella. He’d bring a rose home for his mother. He loved his sport.”

Ricky von Blanckensee, 18, Derek Lange, 11, June Lange, 30, and Shayne Parker, 9, were electrocuted in Cooroy Creek in December 1981. Both George and Terry suffered electric shocks from the water as they tried desperately to save the four in the creek. They too would be awarded bravery medals FREE I Phone: 5442 6699 I Email: editorial@cooroyrag.com.au I 6 October 2021 for their actions. How the wire, believed to be inactive, became live was later the focus of a lengthy investigation. Despite investigation it was never determined exactly how power had got to the line.“We don’t have an answer which is sad,” Cliff said. And while an answer may never be determined now, there is an opportunity to remind locals and inform visitors to Cooroy about those who tragically died.

Continued, page 3

Forgotten tragedy of Cooroy Creek BY ALEX PURCELL FOR 40 years, one of the biggest tragedies in Cooroy has been largely forgotten. Four people, including two children, were electrocuted in Cooroy Creek in 1981. Derek Lange, 11, his mother June, 30, Shayne Parker, 9 and Ricky von Blanckensee, 18 were all killed on Saturday 5 December 1981 in a tragic accident. Husband of June and father of Derek, Terry Lange told the Cooroy Rag that because they lived in one of the two houses in front of the creek, the kids played in it “all the time”. But on this day, a hot December afternoon, they had made them a raft. “We had quite a bit of rain Cooroy Rag, 06 October 2021 - Page 1

beforehand and the creek always flooded. Water used to come up to the front steps of the house and we’d have to park the car up the street. “This day, the water had gone down but was still running reasonably well. “Derek and Shayne were on the raft and they grabbed a wire hanging over the creek to pull themselves along. But the wire was 'live' and nobody knew.” Tragically, the two Cooroy State School students were killed instantly. Terry said that he was inside the house when “all hell broke loose”. “We were planning a hungi for North Coast Sawmills' (our work) Social Club and [along with fellow worker, George Parker] had been out getting river rocks. “We were inside when my youngest came running in and said: ‘They’ve fallen in the creek and are not coming up’.” Terry raced outside and jumped into the creek - only to sink to the bottom.

“I jumped in but couldn’t move because of the electricity. As soon as I hit the water I sank to the bottom. “George and the others came out behind me and they dragged me out.” It was then that they discovered that Ricky von Blanckensee had also been killed. “None of us knew Ricky was in there.” The 18-year-old had jumped into the water after June to try and help. June and Ricky would later receive bravery awards for sacrificing their own lives. Ricky’s older brother, Cliff van Blankensee told the Cooroy Rag, that was just the way Ricky was. “He was very gentle and loving to everybody and anybody. He was a nice

young fella.” Cliff said he had been at his in-laws and it wasn’t until he got home that he learned the news of Ricky’s passing. “My brother was at the door waiting for us when we got home and told us the news. It was hard to believe. “It knocked a lot out of all of us but Dad took it really, really hard. He kept saying kids are supposed to bury their parents not the other way around.” Shayne’s father, George Parker told the Cooroy Rag that it’s something you never really get over. “It’s taken a long time but you never really get over something like this. “Shayne was a very thoughtful young fella. He’d bring a rose home for his mother. He loved his sport.”

Ricky von Blanckensee, 18, Derek Lange, 11, June Lange, 30, and Shayne Parker, 9, were electrocuted in Cooroy Creek in December 1981. Both George and Terry suffered electric shocks from the water as they tried desperately to save the four in the creek. They too would be awarded bravery medals for their actions. How the wire, believed to be inactive, became live was later the focus of a lengthy investigation. Despite investigation it was never determined exactly how power had got to the line. “We don’t have an answer which is sad,” Cliff said. And while an answer may never be determined now, there is an opportunity to remind locals and inform visitors to Cooroy about those who tragically died.

Continued, page 3

1 Brilliant night out, thank you.

Derek Potts

A great event...so well organized. Congratulations all involved.

Julie Ainscough

Wonderful day congratulation to all involved in organising such a wonderfu event.

Sandra French

It was busy. Parked my 20-year-old Mitsubishi Xi Verada amongst the classic car display and didn't look out of place. Got three likes, four tyre kicks and two "can we look inside".

Robert Charles Andrews

Great to see everyone enjoying themselves together! Congratulations to all concerned.

Brian McInnarney

What a great afternoon… herzlichen gluckwunsch an die veranstalter.

Lakeridge Health & Beauty Cooroy

It was such a brilliant event. Well organized, great location, fabulous MC and awesome food and drink. Hope it’s on again next year!

Bessie Carr

See all the photos from Oktoberfest on page 16-17.

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