Community & Business
11 September, 2022
Police help carry Matt to dream
A DREAM to get to the tip of Cape York for a man suffering from a neurological condition was made possible recently by officers of the Cairns Highway Patrol Unit.
It may have been a chance meeting or some type of divine intervention when Senior Constable Daniell and Senior Con-stable Whitling pulled into the car park at the tip of Cape York at the same time as a group of Cairns locals and Sydney-siders.
The group had travelled a considerable distance to help fulfil the dream of their dear friend Matt.
Sadly, Matt was recently been diagnosed with a neuro-logical condition called Corticobasal Syndrome, a syndrome that had already claimed his ability to walk and talk.
Their trip had been an ad-venture to say the least – one car had to return to Cairns due to car trouble, another vehicle required a replacement diff and radiator, and their mate Wal was flown to Cairns by the Royal Flying Doctor Service after slip-ping in the mud and breaking his leg.
On hearing Matt’s story, without hesitation, the senior constables offered their assistance to help carry Matt to the tip of Cape York to fulfil his dream of having a photo at the northernmost point of Australia.
Using a camp chair and vehicle side-rails, together they con-structed a chair to carry Matt.
Senior Constable Whitling said the trek wasn’t without its challenges, but was an honour they were more than happy tobestow.
“We trekked from the car-park to the tip where the wind has an unusual sting that makes one’s eyes well-up. Well at least I think it was the wind because we were all affected,” Senior Constable Whitling said.
“This was an experience that was truly special and something that I’ll hold dear well beyond my time with the Queensland Police.
“The moment was so special that I almost forgot that I was standing at an Australian land-mark. Matt’s smile and this en-tire experience will be etched in my memory forever.”
