Blaze death parents visit memorial

Sarah Williams (left) and Natalie Morris both died in the fire

The parents of two Welsh women killed in the Australian backpackers' hostel fire are to visit the scene of the tragedy for the first time.

Natalie Morris, 28, and Sarah Williams, 23, were among the 15 victims of the blaze at the Palace Backpackers' Hostel in Childers, Australia, in June 2000.

It is another chapter in the story surrounding losing my daughter - and another chapter we will be able to put behind us

Ken Morris, victim's father

Now their parents - in an effort to cope with their grief - have decided to visit a memorial that has been built at the site.

Natalie's father Ken, 64, said: "It is the first time we have gone out there.

"I'm sure this will help my wife Yvonne and give her a bit more strength.

"She tells me that it is something she has to do but at the same time she is apprehensive.

"It has ruined her life and I am sad looking at her knowing that.

"It is another chapter in the story surrounding losing my daughter - and another chapter we will be able to put behind us."

Ken Morris has called for killer to stay in jail for life

The families of others who died in the blaze are also expected to visit a memorial built at the site of the blaze when it is officially opened on 26 October.

"We are looking forward to going to the memorial put there for the girls and the other youngsters," Mr Morris added.

"It is nice to know she will not be forgotten out there where she spent a very happy time.

"She loved it there, and it is a fitting tribute to Natalie and Sarah, her best friend."

Memorial room

Childers Mayor Bill Trevor has told of the "tremendous thought" that went into planning the memorial which will feature an art gallery, visitors centre and outdoor plaza.

A memorial room is also being created in an upstairs section of the century-old hostel.

Speaking of the memorial wall in the house, Mr Trevor said: "It will be lit from below with blue light and have niches filled with photographs of the victims.

"Each family was asked to select 20 photographs of the person they lost in the blaze.

Robert Long sentence could be freed in 20 years

"As you look through the panels of glass you will be looking through their lives as presented by their families.

"We want the memorial to be a celebration of life and show the value of those lives."

"It is taking away the scar that has been so prominent in our main street for two years.

"The opening will help us move to the next stage of our life, at the same time never forgetting this event."

'Emotional time'

He said everything possible would be done to help the parents while they are in Childers including taking them to farms where their children may have worked.

"This will be a very emotional time for the parents, survivors, myself and my community," he added.

"It's something I look forward to, yet feel great trepidation about. Hopefully together we can achieve something that will be worthy of those beautiful young people."

Long was sentenced to life imprisonment for two counts of murder and 15 years for arson, with the sentences to be served concurrently for the blaze at The Palace Backpackers Hostel in Childers, 180 miles north of Brisbane.

Only two sample charges were brought, in order to speed up the legal process.

But Queensland state Attorney-General Rod Welford has said the judge at the trial at Brisbane Supreme Court was wrong not to take into account the deaths of 13 other backpackers in the blaze.

Natalie Morris's father, Ken, said he has talked to a number of the other bereaved parents and they all feel the man convicted of the crime, itinerant fruit picker Robert Long, should be held to account for the other 13 deaths.

Calling for Long to never be released from prison, he said: "He could be released in 20 years - he'd be younger than me."