A hero’s welcome awaits the Appelbee family
A family whose survival of a 10-hour ordeal in the waters off western Australia has made international headlines will receive a hero’s welcome when they next return to the Magheracloone area of County Monaghan.
Councillors agreed to the proposal of their Cathaoirleach, Cllr P.J. O’Hanlon (FF) to accord a civic reception and presentation to Magheracloone woman Joanne Appelbee and her children Austin (13), Beau (12) and Grace (8) upon their expected visit home.
The Australian-based family were kayaking and paddle-boarding in the ocean on Friday, January 30, when they were swept far out to sea. A potentially tragic outcome was averted when Austin swam four kilometres to shore in difficult conditions to raise the alarm.
Cllr O’Hanlon opened Monday’s Council meeting with a reference to the extensive media coverage of the episode and words of welcome for its positive outcome. He proposed that the Council send a letter of good wishes to the family and hold a civic reception and presentation for them when they return home.
The Cathaoirleach paid special tribute to the bravery of Austin Appelbee whose actions had resulted in the rescue of all his family members.
He said the incident reminds “what can happen in life in a flash, but the good news here is that there was a positive result.”
Seconding the proposal that civic honours be extended to the family, Cllr Peter Conlon (FG) recounted visiting Joanne’s parents in Magheracloone and witnessing their emotional reaction to television news coverage of the event.
“We have experienced a lot of bad news in south Monaghan in recent years,” Cllr Conlon stated, “and it was good to see this positive outcome.”
He added that Austin Appelbee had been offered future roles in rescue services and law enforcement because of the fortitude he displayed, but in media interviews the boy had remained so humble and did not see himself as a hero but as someone protecting his family and doing what had to be done.
“His grandparents are incredibly proud of him,” said Cllr Conlon, “and we should be proud as well and show that pride through a civic reception.”
Cllr Colm Carthy (SF) said this near-tragic incident made one believe that good things could always happen.
“The Magheracloone community has suffered so much over recent years, but it has been lifted by this story,” he remarked.
“The family kept the faith and kept positive, and it paid off for them.
“All of south Monaghan will approve of this good news story being recognised by a civic reception, and the family will come home to a hero’s welcome.”