**Heartbreak Endures 25 Years After Tragic Childers Hostel Fire Claimed Lives of Two Welsh Women**
A sombre milestone is being marked in Australia and Wales this weekend as communities on both sides of the globe prepare to remember the 15 young lives lost in the Childers backpacker hostel fire, a devastating crime that occurred a quarter of a century ago but remains deeply etched in the collective memory.
Among those who perished in the fatal blaze were Natalie Morris, aged 28 from Merthyr Tydfil, and 23-year-old Sarah Williams of Cefn Coed. The pair had travelled to Australia seeking adventure and experience, only to tragically lose their lives in what should have been the prime of their youth. The loss of these two Welsh women, far from home, underscores the far-reaching impact of the tragedy that unfolded in the early hours of 23 June 2000.
The fire, which consumed the Palace Backpackers Hostel in the small Queensland town of Childers, was deliberately set by Robert Long, a transient worker who had been evicted from the premises. Long, who was later convicted of murder and arson, lit the blaze as a cruel act of revenge, turning the century-old building into a death trap for the 80 guests inside that night.
Investigations and a subsequent coroner’s inquest revealed a string of harrowing safety failures at the hostel. Exits were blocked by bunk beds and furniture, windows were nailed shut or barred, and fire alarms were found to be nonfunctional. These factors contributed to the horrific death toll, as frantic guests struggled desperately to escape the inferno.
Survivors of the tragedy, along with the people of Childers, rallied in the immediate aftermath, displaying remarkable acts of solidarity. Local residents provided blanket, clothing and food donations, and makeshift accommodation was set up at the Isis Cultural Centre for those who had lost everything. Princess Anne’s visit to Childers a few weeks later spoke to the significance of the event, both in Australia and overseas.
This weekend, memorial events led by local council and community groups are taking place to commemorate the 25th anniversary, including a special vigil at the Sacred Heart Church and performances of “The Palace” at the Isis Cultural Centre. The Childers Arts Space, home to the Palace Backpackers Memorial, offers a quiet place for reflection. Its memory wall, created by Sam Di Mauro, features 15 memory boxes, with each dedicated to a victim, among them Natalie and Sarah.
The grief endures not only in the Childers community but also acutely within the families of those who died. For the Morris and Williams families in Wales, the pain continues, intensified by the distance that separated them from their loved ones at the time of the tragedy. Ken Morris, Natalie’s father, remains a vocal opponent of any parole for Robert Long and has expressed his ongoing heartbreak and determination for justice in the years since.
Long was handed a life sentence in 2002, with a minimum non-parole period of 20 years. His applications for early release have sparked repeated anguish and outrage among survivors, bereaved families and the wider public, both locally and abroad. Petitions and campaigns, particularly led by survivors such as Dutch national Rob Jansen, have underscored an enduring desire that Long never be granted freedom.
For the families of Natalie and Sarah, the pain of their absence is as raw now as it was when news first reached Wales. Sarah’s mother, Margaret Williams, has spoken openly about the family’s ongoing struggle to come to terms with their loss. The passage of time has not erased the scars, and memorials such as the one in Childers offer a precious chance for collective remembrance and support.
As Childers gathers to pay tribute to the lives lost, the message is clear: these young people, including two adventurous Welsh women, will never be forgotten. Their memory carries on in the hearts of survivors, families and the communities united by tragedy—a legacy of resilience, remembrance and hope for better safety and compassion in the future.