TWO years after discovering the human remains of Wendy Hansen at Coffs Jetty Foreshore, Jetty Dunecare volunteers have planted a second tree in remembrance of the Queensland grandmother.
On Tuesday 3 March, longtime Jetty Dunecare volunteers Steve and Karen joined the group’s President Desnee to plant the deciduous native Koda tree at the Jetty Foreshores on the west side of Wendy Hansen’s remembrance bench, paid for and installed in 2025 by Wendy’s family.
“We hope this tree will provide summer afternoon shade and winter sun nearby Wendy’s bench,” Desnee told News Of The Area.
Desnee grew the Koda tree – Ehretia acuminata – from seed and has been nurturing it for ten years.
City of Coffs Harbour has put up a tree guard to protect the tree.
“Jetty Dunecare group thank Council for taking up our offer of the donated Koda tree and also for installing the protective tree guard,” Desnee said.
In July 2024 a Coastal Banksia was planted on the spot where her remains were discovered by a Jetty Dunecare volunteer before they knew whose remains they were.
Police investigating the suspicious death identified them in August 2024 as the body of Wendy Hansen.
“I mulched and weeded around Wendy’s Banksia tree, and it is doing well,” Desnee said.
Ms Hansen was last seen alive withdrawing cash from an ATM on Newton Street in Monto – about 170km west of Bundaberg, Queensland – on Thursday 29 February 2024.
NSW Police told NOTA that the matter remains under investigation, and a report will be prepared for the information of the coroner.
As investigations continue, detectives are appealing to the public for any information, CCTV or dashcam footage that may assist the investigation to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
By Andrea FERRARI
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