Sherry inquest returns to beach

Memorial site: Investigating officer Det Snr Const Rowena Freer with Joseph Sherry’s mother, Mary, and sister Jennifer Hackney at the memorial site at South Ballina Beach before returning to Ballina Court House for the inquest into the Sherry drownings in January.

Elisabeth Marangon

MEMBERS of the Sherry family revisited South Ballina Beach yesterday where Joseph and Carole Sherry tragically lost their lives rescuing their children in January.

It was the first day of the coronial inquest into the drownings, where inadequate warning signs and unclear emergency call-out procedures dominated proceedings at the Ballina Court House.

Before hearing evidence, Coroner Jeff Linden adjourned proceedings so the court could visit the scene of the tragedy after lead investigating officer, Detective Senior Constable Rowena Freer, expressed concern about new signs erected at the site earlier this month in response to the deaths.

“I feel the signs, in my opinion, are not big enough and are not close enough to the beach,” she told the inquest.

Joseph Sherry’s mother, Mary, and sisters Margaret Leedham and Jennifer Hackney, represented the family in a brave and dignified manner, following the court convoy to the beach.

In a moving moment, the three paused at the two large white crosses erected at the end of the track in memory of Joseph and Carole, before walking out, alone, on to the beach.

They declined to comment on the court proceedings, saying they were happy to wait for Coroner Linden’s findings, due in September, but took a moment to again thank the whole Northern Rivers community.

“We just think it is an amazing community up here,” Mrs Sherry said.

“We want to thank everyone, the police force, the ambulance, the rescue services and the whole community, not just Ballina and Lismore, but all over.

“The response and support was incredible and we can’t thank you enough.”

Ballina Shire Council general manager Paul Hickey and reserve manager Jillian Pratten attended the inquest as a party of interest, although South Ballina Beach falls under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Environment, Climate Change and Water, and is managed through the National Parks and Wildlife Service.

When the inquest resumed, counsel assisting the police, Brett Gradisnik, expressed concern the department’s signage did not take into account the individual situation at South Ballina Beach, with only two safety signs erected since the tragedy and the closest being some distance from the beach.

Counsel assisting the department, Peggy Dwyer, stressed to the court that the department had placed the signs ‘against the backdrop of a rigorous national policy’, which set the tone for the rest of the day’s proceedings.

Ms Dwyer also went to lengths to stress the beach was primarily used by four-wheel-drive enthusiasts rather than swimmers, and the signage had to take that into account.

The only sign displayed where the track opens on to the beach is for four-wheel-drive safety, prompting Mr Linden to ask why a warning sign to swimmers wasn’t placed there.

While the conservation manager at DECCW, Michael O’Flynn, said the signage was erected following a comprehensive risk management plan, he could not explain the specific circumstances of the signage.

National Parks and Wildlife area manager Mark Pitaveno said the signs were erected following consultation with local stakeholders, including the Department of Lands, Ballina Shire Council, Department of Industry and Investment, Rural Lands Protection Board, and the Catchment Management Authority, though no input had been sought from Surf Life Saving Australia, emergency services or the caravan park proprietors.

He went on to explain that too many signs at the point of entry to the beach created a hazard for four-wheel-drive enthusiasts as they had to keep their speed up to make it through the soft sand.

SLSA coastal safety services manager Matthew Thompson told the inquest a 2005 risk assessment passed on to the council had identified South Ballina Beach as an increasingly popular swimming spot and the group was keen to work with stakeholders in any future plans.

Ballina Jet Boat captain, Gary Meredith, also told the inquiry that previous problems with call-out procedures – that saw the ambulance service notified before life guards or the jet boat rescue service – had been now rectified.

Mr Linden will hand down his findings at the Ballina Court House on September 2.