TRAGIC KILLING of an INNOCENT MAN

26th December 2007

My heart goes out to the family of Bill Rowe, a Yalgoo farmer, bashed and murdered in Geraldton on Chrismtas Day.

It is reminiscent of when my son was bashed, unprovoked and in defence, in the same town, on New Years Eve when he was only 19 years old. His jaw was broken and he had to come to the city to have it operated on. The feeling that he always felt he had to look over his shoulder took a long time to pass...emotional scars never soften overnight.

It makes me very angry that this behaviour continues to exist up there.

My question is, why is it happening?

And why is it getting worse?

Does it take a murder for something to be done?

This is the realism of life in this town. Innocent people are becoming victims of violence when they respond in defence to initiating aggressive behaviour. In Bill Rowe´s case, because he reacted when they tried to steal his beer from his esky.

My son´s attacker was found guilty of assault causing grievous bodily harm. He didn´t receive any ´real´punishment for his crime.

Will the people who murdered this man get away with it as well?

The problem is escalating.

Something has to be done...

But...what?

I hope vigilante groups do not take it into their own hands..and i hope this latest attack and murder does not increase racist intolerance in this town..

This behaviour is not indicative of the the town. Many perpetrators been abused themselves and some of our people in Geraldton are still fragile. The town's tolerance needs building up. It does not need representatives such as those who have killed this man to destroy further destroy the equalibrium of the town. It's the danger of a single event which can magnify a situation.

There is one thing for sure, things like this happening contribute to a boiling monster in the town.

And...I just really fear the safety of people in the town.

Especially my own children.