By GARRY HOWE
WHEN Peter Blackwood sat down after bravely addressing the 450 guests at the launch of the Kylie Blackwood Foundation at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Friday night, Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson reached over, put his arm on his friend’s shoulder and mouthed “Well done mate”.
When he took to the stage a little later, Mr Clarkson summed up the sentiment of the room when he simply said: “We’re here for you, mate.”
The dinner to launch the foundation, set up in the name of the Pakenham mother of three murdered in her home last August, raised $68,000 for programs to help stamp out violence against women and help raise awareness of the issue.
It represented the largest single fundraising event under the banner of the White Ribbon Campaign, but it was never really about the money.
The night was more about a community showing it cared and for Peter Blackwood to say thanks for that support.
“There was a lot of warmth in the room,” Peter told the Gazette. “We certainly felt that.
“The night’s success was never going to be just about the dollars.
“It was about a wonderful community coming together, being there to help and support my family.”
You could have heard a pin drop when Peter took to the stage and spoke bravely about the devastating events of 2013 and the path that had led to Friday night’s launch.
His voice broke with emotion when he mentioned Kylie and their son Chase and twin daughters Holly and Mia.
The kids were in the room, seated with Hawthorn coach Alistair Clarkson, star player Sam Mitchell and members of the family.
“I am a very, very lucky man to have the children in my life,” he said.
“They have been very brave, very tough, very inspiring and a delight.”
Looking straight at them, he said: “You help me going forward, I love you so much.”
To his “beautiful wife” Kylie, he said: “I miss you madly, darling, I love you and hope you are watching over us.”
He urged all those present to take a stand on violence against women to prevent anyone else having to endure what he and his family had gone through in 2013, a year, he said, they all want to forget.
Trustee Brian Paynter said the fact that tickets to the event sold out within a week showed the strength and spirit of the community.
“It was an indication of the love and support the community showed for the family in such tragic circumstances and a commitment to help stamp out and prevent violence against women in any way, shape or form,” he said.
“There were 450 people making a stand on Friday night.”
White Ribbon Foundation CEO Libby Davies described the night as “an amazing gathering”.
“We are here to recognize a person and treasure the part Kylie played in our lives and, in doing so, help prevent that happening to other women in society, whether it be wives, mothers, friends or work colleagues.
“We’ve got to try to turn this around.”
The dinner is likely to be an annual event and trustees will meet to discuss another initiative, possibly a walk against violence, later in the year.
