By Kyra Gillespie
Glow sticks replaced candles at the Bunyip vigil for Eurydice Dixon.
Community members from Bunyip and surrounds gathered at the Bunyip Recreation Reserve to honour the life of the 22-year-old, who was horrifically raped and murdered in Princes Park in Carlton North last week.
The event was organised by local resident and mother-of-three Samantha Millis.
“We couldn’t make it to the Reclaim Princes Park vigil for Eurydice, so our family decided to walk own little path through Bunyip in her memory and to reclaim our streets,” Sam said.
“I put a post out on Facebook and it just blew up from there. I can’t thank everyone enough for coming and uniting in our sorrow for Eurydice.
“We truly have an amazing community.”
Sam has two daughters the same age as the young girl who was abducted and assaulted in NSW recently.
“It’s unthinkable that these things are happening to girls and women today. Things need to change.”
Julie Gallie and Dorothy Smith also bought their daughters along to the walk.
“Just because we’re out in the country doesn’t mean we can’t get together to make a difference,” Ms Smith said.
“What happened to Eurydice is just awful; she was just trying to get home safely.
“These things should never happen to women.”
While they turned out to the walk in support of community safety, local dads Darren Ashton and Rod Newnham were less hopeful for revolution.
“To be honest I don’t think it will ever change,” Mr Ashton said.
“I wouldn’t let my wife walk home alone and that’s the sad reality of the world.“The walk commenced at 7.30pm at the front of the Bunyip netball courts and followed around the football oval, over the train line, up to the pub and down Main Street.
The Bunyip vigil was just one among thousands held across Australia on Monday night to remember the young comedian.
To support Eurydice Dixon’s family, click here: https://au.gofundme.com/princes-park-victim-fund.
– See On A Soapbox and Editor’s Desk, page 13.
