Afternoons listener Leslie has shared a truly heartbreaking story with Joe Hildebrand.

Leslie and schoolmate Frances have been friends for over 60 years, keeping in touch mostly by phone or mail.

Leslie wanted to visit her friend in Coolangatta for her birthday, but after multiple cancelled trips due to the border closures, Leslie made a grim discovery.

“When I rang, I would get [her] message bank, and then finally when I rang only last week, I got ‘disconnected phone’.

“I rang Coolangatta [police] and got onto a lovely senior constable … she came back and said ‘I’m sorry, your friend has died’.

“So, thanks, Annastacia.”

Press PLAY below to hear her incredibly moving call

Queensland Tourism Industry Council Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind told Joe border closures have massive side effects.

“Many Queenslanders are quite happy to be isolated at the moment, but unfortunately, they probably don’t see the whole picture of how this is affecting the state and their fellow Queenslanders.

He said the industry is raring to get back to free travel.

“We want to provide safe environments for our travellers; we’re ready to roll!

Press PLAY below to hear the full interview 

Image: Getty