TIMELINE
Michael Fomenko is born in Georgia to former Princess Elizabeth Matchabelli and university lecturer Daniel Fomenko. The family lives in Georgia until the late ’30s before moving to Japan.
As war is on the horizon the family flees to Sydney.
Mr Fomenko is tipped to represent the Australian team in the decathlon at the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, but instead he leaves the family home and moves to the Far North.
Police arrest Mr Fomenko and he is committed to psychiatric institutions.
Mr Fomenko returns to the wilds of Cape York.
Mr Fomenko relocates near Babinda. He becomes a regular sight walking on the Bruce Highway.
Mr Fomenko tries to walk to Sydney to reunite with his family. He falls ill and is taken to live at Cooinda Aged Care Centre in Gympie.
Former Cairns Post journalist Dominic Geiger delivers Cairns residents’ letters of support to Mr Fomenko in Gympie.
Mr Fomenko is relocated back to the Far North to live in Babinda.