MEN, WOMEN AND children came together at Brunswick Baptist Church today to honour and remember Jill Meagher, a young Irish woman killed in the area last weekend.
According to The Age, a poster on the church steps read, “Honouring Jill. Remembering her family.” More than 100 people attended the impromptu gathering after word spread across social media.
Flowers, candles and other memorials have been placed on Sydney Road, near where the 29-year-old was last seen alive in the early hours of Saturday morning.
One note read: Jill, I knew you only from the news, but how you moved so many people. One day this world will be as beautiful as you…rid all evil.”
A peace march is due to be held in the same area tomorrow to honour the victim of a brutal rape and murder, and to show solidarity to all women.
The mayor of Moreland said the tragedy had touched everyone, “across the nation and in her homeland of Ireland”. The council said it was aware that a number of people and groups wanted to do something to remember Jill and show solidarity with her family. It said it would work with community leaders on an appropriate event. In a statement, the council added:
Brunswick’s vibrant cultural scene and nightlife has in recent years attracted hundreds, if not thousands, of young couples just like the Meaghers and Jill’s death will no doubt leave a deep impression on them, as it will all of us. As usual the police investigation would not have been as effective without the efforts of our passionate community, including the traders of Sydney Road.
A 41-year-old man from the nearby suburb of Coberg was charged with rape and murder after the victim’s remains were found in a shallow grave about 55km from where she went missing. It is believed that the suspect, named as Adrian Bayley, travelled with police to assist them with their search earlier this week.
He will face a committal hearing on 18 January.
The woman’s brother Michael McKeon, who normally resides in Perth, and her husband Tom Meagher were present for his second court appearance this morning. Speaking afterwards, Tom Meagher thanked the public for its support but asked for people to be “mindful” of how negative comments on social media could “hurt legal proceedings”.
Victoria Police also issued a statement urging members of social media communities to refrain from posting inappropriate comments that may jeopardise the chances of a successful prosecution.
Jill Meagher’s colleagues at ABC, where she worked in the radio division, have paid tribute to their friend. In an emotional address on air this morning, presenter John Faine said “there is a very empty space in our office this morning.”
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