Airlie rallies round victims of failed Romance

The Airlie Beach community has rallied around the passengers winched by the helicopter from the deck of the schooner Romance shipwrecked off Hook Island early yesterday. The treacherous circumstances of the evacuation meant that many of the group of international Backpackers arrived back to the mainland without passports, phones, credit cards or money.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Peter O'Reilly said that most were fortunate enough to have prepaid accommodation for the first night back and that the local community would ensure that all of the group were looked after.

"The community is dismayed that these visitors have had to endure such an awful experience that unfortunately didn't finish the moment they were rescued."

"International backpackers are the vibrant heart of Airlie and we'd like to see this group receive the care and attention we'd want for our own children in similar circumstances " he said

Offers of free and discounted accommodation have flowed from the region's backpacker hostel and apartment sectors, and free meals are being provided by Airlie restaurants, catering companies and hostels.

"Local retailers, the PCYC, tour desks, even the local chemist has come to the party."

The State Government through the Department of Communities is providing emergency funding and counselling services to counter post traumatic stress among the passengers.

The Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association is providing local transport and emergencies funding for items such as toiletries and clothing. Its members have offered free trips to all of the Romance passengers in the hope that they will gain some better memories of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.

"I must commend the generosity of the Charter Boat Association for the care and concern they're showing to passengers of a boat that is not one of their members" Mr O'Reilly said.

"We can only hope that the good will of the Airlie community raises their spirits enough to enjoy romance of an entirely different kind on Valentines Day."