Worst Civil Aviation Disaster Commemorated At Special Ceremony

It has been 65 years since the Fokker Friendship “Abel Tasman” crashed off the coast of Mackay, claiming the lives of all 29 passengers.

This tragic event still touches many lives in our region and beyond.

Of the lives lost, four were crew members and nine of the 25 passengers were young boarders from the Rockhampton Grammar School returning home to Mackay for the Queen’s birthday weekend.

The youngest was just nine years old.

Mayor Greg Williamson said what was meant to be a joyful homecoming turned into unimaginable heartbreak for families, friends and the wider community.

“To this day, this crash remains as one of Australia’s worst civil aviation disasters,” Mayor Williamson said.

To mark the 65th anniversary of the tragedy, a commemorative ceremony will be held at the Fokker Friendship Memorial at Illawong Beach on Tuesday, June 10 at 11am.

Mayor Greg Williamson said the remembrance is a deeply important occasion for the community.

“It is important that we come together to remember the lives lost, to support those who still grieve and to ensure that future generations understand the significance of this event in our region’s history,” he said.

“Guests from across the state are attending, including family members and friends of the crew and passengers lost and those who were later involved in the crash.

“A representative from the Rockhampton Grammar Boarding School, where many of the children had been studying, will also attend.”

While the cause of the crash was never definitively determined, the investigation led to a significant advancement in aviation safety.

In the wake of the disaster, Australia became the first country to mandate flight recorders, or "black boxes," on all commercial aircraft—a legacy of safety born from the tragedy.

Long-time Mackay resident and local historian, Col Benson from Mackay RSL Sub Branch, reflected on the outpouring of grief at the time and the broader impact of the tragedy.

“The community needed a place to come together and grieve,” Mr Benson said.

“The bronze Roll of Honour on the memorial stone at Illawong Beach was built by locals at Walkers Foundry on Harbour Road in their lunch breaks,” he said.

“It was completed and the memorial unveiled in just 16 days on June 26, 1960.

“To this day, it remains a place of reflection and remembrance.

“It affected everyone—from the air traffic controller on duty that night, to the search and rescue crews and even the reporters who covered the crash then and in the years that followed.”

Community members are welcome to attend the commemorative service. Further details are available on the Mackay Regional Council Facebook event page.

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The TAA Fokker F-27 Friendship “Abel Tasman” that crashed off the coast of Mackay on June 10, 1960 in Australia’s worst civil aviation disaster. Image supplied

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