The alleged murder of Pheobe Bishop has left locals in the tiny Queensland town of Gin Gin shattered, but their mayor insists the community has not changed.
Pheobe suspiciously disappeared from her hometown, on May 15, just a few hours before she was due to catch a scheduled flight from Bundaberg Airport to Western Australia, to visit her boyfriend.
Last Thursday police charged her housemates James Wood and Tanika Bromley in relation to her alleged murder.
The tragedy which captured global attention, came as a shock to the close-knit Gin Gin community who pride themselves on being “Queensland’s friendliest town”.
A local community member who Pheobe once worked for prior to her murder, told Skynews.com.au the incident is a “sickening” act that they did not foresee for the teen in their safe town.
“Our families have been here for as long as we can remember and having this happen inside a community that we know to be safe and a communal town, is something we were unaware of,” they said.
“It’s not something that happens every day and we hope it never happens again.”
A second Gin Gin local who wishes to remain anonymous told Skynews.com.au, the alleged murder of Pheobe has “changed the town” and “broke the hearts of everyone”.
“The town is angry and empty,” they said.
The local further added they now live in fear for their children and family’s safety in the town that was previously believed to be safe before the alleged murder.
Asked whether the incident will drive community members away from the small town, they responded with “most definitely”.
On Monday night, hundreds of Bundaberg community members, friends and family gathered at a community park for a twilight vigil to share stories, poems, and letters in memory of the loving teen as candle lights flickered into the night.
As the community continues to reel from the tragedy, the alleged murder is understood to have significantly impacted the tight-knit and trusting relationship between locals in the tiny town.
A local told this publication the town is so tightly integrated; teenagers often leave their family homes to stay with other members of the community for months on end, a town habit that may now be reconsidered.
However, during an interview with Skynews.com.au, Bundaberg Mayor Helen Blackburn remained stern the tiny Gin Gin town has not changed and will continue to thrive on community support, despite the recent tragedy.
“We are a very caring and considerate community,” she said.
“Everybody’s a little bit hurt at the moment and it’s just time to come together and reflect and take a breath and move forward.”
The Mayor further emphasised the importance of respecting one of the accused’s family and urged the community to not “apply the blame game”, as requested by Pheobe’s mother during a vigil.
“I think what Phoebe’s mum said at the vigil was that it was important for the community not to apply the blame game with the family of one of the accused,” she said.
“But rather to really consider that they are also members of the community.
Asked whether the recent tragedies would tarnish the Gin Gin town’s friendly reputation, Ms Blackburn said the isolated incidents do not define their strong community spirit.
She further added the council may consider a plaque at the community park where Pheobe’s vigils were held as a permanent reminder of her presence, should her family agree to it.
