A shockwave of grief hits the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia

 and reverberates around the world

by Louise Heinrich

The hearts of many around the world have been broken by the shocking and tragic death of Allan (56yrs) and Kari (51 yrs, nee Sherwell) Taylor on August 19 2009 at approximately 4:15 pm (EST). The South East Queensland , Sunshine Coast couple was killed as they went to the aide of  their, soon to be wed, 22 year old, daughter Ashleah, who had been involved in a minor accident on the side of the busy Sunshine Coast motorway.

Thousands of condolence messages have flooded in from all over the world on Kari and Ashelea’s Facebook and media outlet blog sites in an outpouring of grief and rejoicing from those whose lives have been positively impacted by the charistmatic couple.

Comments posted include; “They were a reflection of God’s brilliance here on earth.” “Having known the family as friends and co-artists they were a bright light bringing joy to the world.” “They had hearts of gold that, at a moments notice, would drop everything to put their own needs aside and help others.”  “Their precious and loving children Ashleah (22yrs) and Kallan aged (14 yrs) are a reflection of Allan and Kari's love for one another’

After witnessing her parents tragic death Ashleah was taken to Nambour Hospital suffering from shock. After the accident she said that she “ did not see the impact she knew when she saw her parents lying on the road that they were already in Heaven.” Ashleah still plans to go ahead with her wedding to Mitchell Davie in October as she knows that would be  what her mum and dad would have wanted her to do. Although walking down the aisle will come with bitter sweet joy and sadness her brother Kallan and extended family will be there to support her. 

Kari’s brother Robbie Sherwell who is a Sunshine Coast Local news, surf reporter, issued a media release on Friday the 21st of August stating” that the families forgive” the 75 year old driver of the 4 wheel drive and “do not hold him accountable for Kari and Allan’s deaths”, “ it was an accident.”  

 Kari’s mother Fran and father Bob Sherwell were devastated at the death of their daughter and son-in-law but have quickly stepped in to care for Ashleigh and Kallan. Fran taught Kari to dance who then took up the torch, teaching Ashleah to dance beautifully, after starting the ‘Sonshine Ballet School’ at Suncoast Christian College in Woombye some 30 years ago. Allan, Kari and the children, along with many of their colleagues and dance students, made regular overseas performing arts mission trips sharing their God given gifts and talents through dance.  Their performances had an overwhelming impact on thousands of audiences in Australia, United States, Europe, over the past 30 years.  

Just prior to the performance trip to Eastern Europe, in September 2001, the terrorist events of 9/11 occurred.  Kari and her team of performers from Machaneh International Creative Arts Company (M.I.C.A) came back to Australia committed to running an annual event every year on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. Their vision was to raise funds to honour the dedication and work of the emergency services personnel. Noted politicians such as former Maroochydore Mayor, Jo Natoli and Channel 7 reporter Rosanna Natoli and celebrities such as Mix FM radio journalist Caroline Hutchinson, were avid supporters and hosts of the  ‘Hero’ tribute concerts that raised money to keep these services going.  

Bernice Taylor, long time friend of Kari and Allan and administrator for the dance company says that “M.I.C.A will  still dance in Israel in three weeks time as a way of honouring the life of Allan and Kari.” “The God- given mission and vision of touching people’s hearts, soul and minds using the performing arts to edify God will carry on despite the tragic loss of the couple.”  

Kari was a truly gifted artist. She was blessed with an amazing voice “studying Opera and Musical Theatre at the Conservatorium of Music in Brisbane” and teaching music along side her husband Allan, who was founding principal of Suncoast Christian Outreach College. Kari also wrote several musical productions with a dance focus writing the script and lyrics, then choreographing and directing performers. Kari collaborated with like- minded colleagues such as; Chris Robert- Dramaturge,  Paul Murray- musician and arranger, Bernie Taylor-administrator and Chris Wilmott-costumer, creating soul- inspiring productions that were toured in Australia and overseas including Times Square in New York and Swindon, UK.

In collaboration with two other dance teachers Sonya Staines and Liza Pollok, Kari wrote the Sonshine Dance Syllabus with a vision to help raise the standard of Christian classical ballet worldwide. The syllabus is now taught in dance schools around the world including China, Eastern Europe and the United States.  It is this dance syllabus through which Kari’s legacy lives on via dance teachers who learned to dance under Kari’s tuition as youngsters and who are now fully trained to teach at the dance school in Australia and overseas.  Kari’s investment of her time and energy  in training  Ashleah and other young dance teachers such as Rachel Gaunt and Kristy Wilmott will do doubt see the future of the Sonshine Dance School on the Sunshine Coast continue on.

 Allan was an avid supporter of Kari’s work even regularly stepping in to acting and singing roles in the productions she wrote and directed. His work as a chaplain for Scripture Union on the Sunshine Coast saw him always reaching out, offering encouragement, counseling and guidance to students and families and the wider community. Allan was always busy organizing events such as the great garage sale and ‘The Big Pool Party’ offering pizza and ‘Dive in Movies’ for kids and their families to enjoy whilst highlighting and raising much needed funds for chaplains in Sunshine Coast Schools.

Allan was a ‘larrikin’ who loved to chat about God to anyone who would listen even whilst sitting out in the surf waiting for the next big wave. He was always focused on his burden and vision to help the poor and spiritually dry people in his own community and abroad. His commitment to his family was always close to his heart as he went about serving others through his gifts in preaching, teaching comforting and being a friend. Tributes to Allan have come from far and wide as many former students honour Allan for the positive impact he had on their lives personally, spiritually and educationally.

Churches and schools have felt an outpouring of grief as many congregations and school communities on the Sunshine Coast and further afield have set up counseling services to help people come to terms with the tragedy. As the world comes to terms with the loss of Allan and Kari our hearts go out to their  children Ashleah and Kallan Taylor  who will no doubt be surrounded with support from the Sherwell families including Kari’s parents Bob and Fran, brothers Robbie and Ken and families and all their friends scattered round the world.. 

The funeral service is to be held on the 3rd of September at their home church, Suncoast Christian Centre, where it is expected that thousands will attend as they gather, not just to grieve, but to rejoice in Allan and Kari’s lives and their dedication to impacting the world with love, beauty, grace and joy. The reason for the delayed service is to allow for friends family and colleagues to fly in from around the world to creatively contribute to the celebration and rejoicing that will undoubtedly pour out in their memory in true Allan and Kari style.

Louise Heinrich resides, with her husband Mark and two boys Elliot and Tim, on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. Louise taught Drama, co- directed and wrote performances with Kari Taylor as part of M.I.C.A