23/10/2026
Some words on The Green Seat Project from Monique 💚
💚 A GREEN SEAT FOR BALLINA — AND A VERY SPECIAL WIN FOR THE MISSING. 💚
In 2020, I listened to The Lady Vanishes podcast and first learned about Sally Leydon and the mysterious disappearance of her mum, Marion Barter.
I was blown away by Sally’s determination, courage and perseverance. For decades, she had been trying to unravel the mystery and find the answers that might finally bring her mum home.
Never for one minute did I imagine that, through a heartbreaking twist of fate, I would one day find myself walking a similar path — or be lucky enough to call Sally a friend.
Sorry, Sal — you’re a rockstar, but I really would have preferred to meet you under just about any other circumstances! 😉💚
Sally’s work in the missing persons space is truly inspirational. I feel incredibly honoured that she invited me to play a small part in something so special to her and her mother’s legacy: The Green Seat Project.
For those who know Sally’s story, or have listened to The Lady Vanishes or The Missing Matter podcasts, you’ll understand the significance of Ballina in Marion’s disappearance.
Perhaps one day, someone will stop to rest on that Green Seat, scan the QR code, recognise Marion and realise they’re holding a missing piece of a 29-year-old puzzle — one that could finally help bring Marion home to Sally and her family, and deliver the answers and justice they deserve.
For me, Ballina holds a different but equally heartbreaking significance.
It’s where my sister Stephanie was living when she disappeared on 5 August. It’s where we last saw her in person, on CCTV, getting into her car and driving away.
While I desperately hope we won’t be waiting 29 years for answers about Steph, the Green Seat will mean so much more to those who love her than simply somewhere to sit.
It will be a place of remembrance, reflection and hope — somewhere her family, friends and everyone who loves and misses Steph can go to feel close to her.
It will also be somewhere complete strangers might stop, scan a QR code and learn about the real Stephanie.
Not just a photograph, a physical description or a few lines on a missing persons poster, but the person we know and love: her personality, her life and her story, told in our own words.
Because Steph is so much more than a missing person. And so is Marion. So is every person whose family is still searching.
Their stories deserve to be told, their lives remembered, and thanks to The Green Seat Project and Ballina Shire Council’s unanimous decision today, their names will never be forgotten.
I want to sincerely thank every Ballina Shire Councillor for the compassion and support shown to Sally and me.
To Deputy Mayor Damian Loone and Mayor Sharon Cadwallader, thank you for recognising the importance of this initiative.
To Ballina on Richmond Rotary, thank you for your incredibly generous contribution of $1,000. And to everyone who attended, supported us in person or encouraged us from afar — thank you.
Sharing Steph’s story in front of a room full of strangers wasn’t easy, but the result made it worthwhile.
And Sal, thank you. Not just for inviting me to be part of this, but for everything you’ve done for missing people and their families over the years.
You probably don’t realise just how much of a difference you’ve made to those of us who have found ourselves in this space — a group none of us ever wished to belong to.
Twenty-nine years after Marion disappeared, Sally is still searching, still advocating and still finding ways to make a difference for other families.
Yesterday, two stories, separated by almost three decades, came together in Ballina. Thanks to Sally, our community and a room full of compassionate people, something wonderful came from it.
We may not have the answers we’re searching for, but yesterday reminded me that we don’t have to wait for those answers to make a difference.
For Missing Person Marion Barter. For Missing Person - Stephanie Cordery. For Missing Person Bronwyn Winfield . For Ballina’s missing. For every missing person and every family still waiting. 💚💜
Please remember the missing, share their stories and keep their names alive.
The Missing Matter — because missing should never mean forgotten.
