20 hours ago
Townsville remembers Jennifer Board, four years on from tragic death
When Jennifer Board was killed by a driver chasing a stolen car in Townsville in 2021, it sent shock waves through the community.
What followed was an immediate and public outpouring of anger and grief.
"I think the community could feel it," her sister, Siana Board, said.
Jennifer was an innocent casualty of a car chase involving vigilante Christopher Hughes and car thief Gregory Clubb on February 5, 2021.
Both vehicles hit 160kph on Ross River Road before Hughes lost control of his car, which struck Jennifer on her motorbike.
Four years later, the two drivers involved in the crash have both been sentenced.
Clubb was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 13-and-a-half years' jail in the Supreme Court this month.
Justice David North told the Townsville courtroom that Clubb's offending had tragic consequences.
"[The conviction] condemns you as the unlawful killer of a young woman," Justice North said.
"[She] was innocent, had a bright future and played no role in the circumstances that led to her death."
Justice North said Clubb "baited" Christopher Hughes into the chase by seeking him out and throwing items at his car.
Hughes pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 12 years' jail in 2023.
While legal arguments dragged on, Jennifer's loved ones created events to keep her memory alive.
Jennifer's love of football, animals and the colour orange is celebrated each year at a football carnival in her honour.
Next weekend will be the fourth Jennifer Board Memorial Football Carnival, arranged by close friend and police officer Luke Southgate.
He never expected the event to become as popular as it has, with thousands of attendees and dozens of sponsors.
"I don't think that has anything to do with the organisers," he said.
This year, the event will be on July 5 rather than the February anniversary of Jennifer's death.
"We can solely focus on who she was as a person," Sergeant Southgate said.
"We try to spread that vibe and that passion and that joy that she had, to everyone."
Jennifer was a gym trainer with a bubbly personality who found friends easily.
She was embarking on a new phase of her life, sitting an entry exam to join the Queensland Police Service three days before she died.
In her final months, Jennifer splurged for the first time in her adult life on her dream motorbike.
Members of Townsville's motorcycling community were the first to attend a rally the day after the fatal collision.
They've since raised more than $10,000 in an annual charity ride for children at Townsville University Hospital.
Hospital foundation CEO Stephanie Naunton said she was touched by the community's generosity in Jennifer's name.
"That's an amazing contribution of the community, coming together to turn pain into purpose," Ms Naunton said.
"It makes a huge difference to a lot of the children."
The annual carnival, charity ride, and a soon-to-be unveiled memorial bench in Jennifer's name keeps her alive, Siana Board said.
"When you lose somebody, it can feel like they cease to exist," she said.
"Just to talk about her is one of the best gifts that you can give.
