Home at last – but now in hiding

JACK HARBOUR jack.harbour@news.com.au A SOURCE close to the Corby family has revealed Schapelle will likely stay in hiding for at least a week as she settles into her new life back in Australia.

Schapelle, her sister Mercedes and a large security contingent went to great lengths to whisk her out of the spotlight when she landed at Brisbane Airport about 5.15am yesterday.

A convoy of vans led media on a wild goose chase down the M1. Schapelle’s last known whereabouts was the Sofitel in Brisbane, but it is unknown if she remains at the hotel today.

A family friend, who would not be named, said there would be a “welcome home” celebration soon, but there were no grandiose homecoming plans for the former Tugun local.

“I’ve got no doubt ... the family will have a private get together,” they said.

“It would be a while (before they do anything major).”

The source said while she was happy to be back in Australia, Schapelle needed time to adjust to life at home.

“I think they’re all relieved,” she said. “I think really she’s just overwhelmed. She’s leav- ing behind her boyfriend who can’t come over, dogs ... there’s a lot going on behind the scenes.”

Mercedes, other relatives and friends were spotted arriving at mother Rosleigh Rose’s home in Loganlea yesterday.

The Tugun home now owned by Mercedes where Schapelle once lived was quiet.

A relative known as only “Aunty Jen” told media she couldn’t wait to see her niece but had been kept in the dark about her immediate plans.

“I don’t know what the plans are ... I don’t think she’ll be far from her mum,” she said.

“I nearly fell out of bed this morning when I turned on the telly ... the coverage, the convoy. I didn’t realise it was going to be as huge as this.”

Outside the Tugun property, pinned to a tree and a power pole were two yellow ribbons – a throwback to the campaign to free Corby, who always maintained her innocence.

Southern Gold Coast locals were buzzing at the former beautician’s arrival yesterday.

“I would love to see her at the beach, or the shops, she deserves to get her old life back,” Liz Smythe from Coolangatta said.