Mandurah mother Anne Mulley has expressed her grief after a beach memorial, honouring her two sons who died one year apart in tragic accidents, was desecrated by vandals.
Ms Mulley has reflected on life ten years after losing her 22-year-old son Ryan McCurdy and her 19-year-old son Wade McCurdy shortly after.
Over the years, family and friends paid their respects by visiting the San Remo memorial, consisting of two benches and a plaque for each son reading, ‘Forever in the Ocean’, next to their names and dates of birth and death.
But to Ms Mulley’s dismay, all that remains at the site is an incinerated scooter after it was allegedly stolen and dumped on Wednesday, January 9.
Wade’s plaque was found and believed to be damaged, but Ryan’s is missing.
Ms Mulley suspects the damage was carried out by “thoughtless” offenders.
The beach dubbed ‘Binnies’ among locals, has helped Ms Mulley heal and recognise anniversaries like birthdays.
It was a nightmare. You never think you’re going to lose your children before you go.
- Anne Mulley
It was where the boys surfed and Ms Mulley married her husband Patrick.
It is no surprise the Mandurah beach was where their ashes were laid.
“We always come down and have a drink for them,” she said.
“The boys loved the beach.
“Wade was a state champion body boarder.
“He was called up by Billabong just before he passed away – he never got to do the international circuit.”
Ms Mulley described Ryan as a “character, always mucking around and joking” and Wade as “quieter and kind”.
“They were really good to me and always looking out for their mum,” she said.
Both boys attended Mandurah Catholic College.
It doesn’t get easier, but you learn to live a different life than the one you thought you would lead.
- Anne Mulley
On December 7, 2008, Ms Mulley, who was living in Broome at the time, was notified her son, Ryan, was in hospital after falling from an old Peppermint tree in his backyard.
“Him and his mate were racing to the top and Ryan’s branch broke,” Ms Mulley said.
“He fell onto concrete and passed away at Fremantle Hospital a few hours later.
“Hearing those words on the phone was a shock – we didn’t get down in time to say goodbye.”
Ms Mulley said Wade grappled with the loss of his older brother.
Hearing those words on the phone was a shock – we didn’t get down in time to say goodbye.
- Anne Mulley
“He was there that day and had taken Ryan to hospital,” she said.
“He came up to Broome to stay with me for about a month and managed to get through that year.
“We got him counselling because he was quite depressed after it, but was getting a lot better – the boys were best friends.”
Less than three weeks after the first anniversary of Ryan’s passing, Wade and his friend jumped off Dawesville Bridge on Christmas Eve, 2009, but suffered a freak accident.
This resulted in a helicopter and police search for the teenager’s body.
“One jumped then Wade jumped,” Ms Mulley said.
“He surfaced, but then submerged.”
Ms Mulley said the loss of her two sons was “debilitating”.
“It was a nightmare,” she said.
“You never think you’re going to lose your children before you go.
“It doesn’t get easier, but you learn to live a different life than the one you thought you would lead.
“People often say, ‘You are so strong’, but I have no choice. I have to be. I get on with my life because of my son, Matthew.”
Ms Mulley’s third son, Matthew, has recently married.
She often wonders what Ryan and Wade’s lives would look like, if they were still alive.
“Every single day you think about them and wonder what they would be doing now – it is with you all the time,” she said.
“Their mates are all getting married and having children. That’s what I think would have happened to them.
“Ryan had his own scaffolding business and I’m sure that would have been a success.”
Friends, family and the Mandurah community helped Ms Mulley handle the grief.
“People came out of the woodwork – they’ve been marvelous,” she said.
“That’s how I got through it.”
Ms Mulley was in the process of getting the plaques valued and said the City of Mandurah would be assisting with costs.
Mandurah Police Senior Sergeant Darren Hart said there was limited evidence and charges were yet to be laid after receiving reports of the smouldering wreckage, about 4.45am on January 9.
“The scooter is believed to have been stolen from a business in Meadow Springs,” he said.
“If anyone has information, please contact police.”
If you have information on the incident or plaques, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Carla Hildebrandt
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
Journalist at the Mandurah Mail
