URGENT UPDATE: A beloved mother and hairdresser from Sydney tragically drowned at Dunbogan Beach on the NSW Mid North Coast on New Year’s Day. Melissa Austin, aged 45, was pulled from the water just before 3 PM while holidaying with her family, and despite immediate medical assistance, could not be revived.
Witnesses report that Austin had just arrived at Dunbogan Beach earlier that day for a week-long holiday with her husband, Joel Austin, and their two young boys. It remains unclear if her family was present at the time of the incident. Family and friends are mourning the loss of a woman described as “full of life” and “a beautiful person.”
Tributes are flooding in from the Berowra Heights community where Austin owned Mel’s Hair and Beauty. Colleagues and clients remember her as a talented and kind individual, with one local stating, “Such a beautiful individual and such a big part of the fabric that is the Berowra community, just tragic.” Another echoed, “Berowra will never be the same.”
Austin’s friend of two decades, Carolyn Douglas, expressed her heartbreak, noting, “I cannot stop thinking about her and her beautiful family.” Long-time friend Sandra Hindman added, “It is such devastating news and she will be sorely missed by the community.”
This drowning is part of a troubling trend this holiday season. Authorities report that three individuals have died, with two additional swimmers still missing, including a 14-year-old boy. Surf Life Saving NSW has conducted over 85 rescues since Christmas Day, raising concerns about the unexpected spate of drowning incidents. Chief Executive Steve Pearce remarked, “This spate of rescues and drownings has just caught everyone off guard.”
As the search continues for missing swimmers, officials urge beachgoers to exercise extreme caution, especially during peak holiday periods when the risk of drowning is reported to be three times higher than usual.
This tragic incident underscores the urgent need for heightened awareness and safety measures at Australian beaches. As tributes continue to pour in, the community of Berowra mourns a vibrant member who touched many lives.
Stay tuned for further updates as authorities continue to monitor the situation and search efforts proceed.
