Shandee Blackburn memorial held at Harrup Park

As the sun began to set over a Mackay park, the sea of people who dressed in green for the young woman brutally killed on her way home joined in the same touching tribute from her funeral a decade earlier.

Dozens of loved ones, friends, and strangers who dressed in green and gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of murder victim Shandee Blackburn, blew bubbles toward the sunset sky as the Somewhere Over The Rainbow played in the background.

It was a touching tribute for a beautiful soul whose life was violently cut short on the streets of Mackay a decade ago.

The pretty 23-year-old was walking home in the early hours of February 9, 2013 when she was viciously stabbed to death on Boddington St.

To mark the 10-year anniversary of the day she was cruelly snatched from their lives, her mother Vicki Blackburn and sister Shannah Blackburn helped to organise a memorial for her legacy at her former workplace Harrup Park Country Club on Saturday evening.

She said it was very humbling to see the support and feel the love emanating from the crowd of people there to honour her daughter’s memory.

The crowd blew bubbles into the sky at sunset while a live band played Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“It’s overwhelming and the support that we’ve received over the past 10 years and tonight has just been beautiful,” Vicki said.

“It was important to me to bring this celebration here to Mackay to we can all look at what’s been achieved and all of us sticking together … working together.

A supporter stares at the sunset wearing a Justice For Shandee shirt at her 10 year memorial service at Harrup Park. Picture: Janessa Ekert

“We haven’t come to this result … by one person alone, it’s been a whole arm of people behind getting this result.”

Guest speakers included multi-award winning investigative journalist Hedley Thomas, whose podcast Shandee’s Story brought the case to life, sparking a chain reaction that busted open “grave maladministration involving dishonesty” within the state-run DNA lab.

Hedley Thomas

Mr Thomas spoke of his meeting and getting to know the “remarkable” Vicki, describing her as “measured and calm”.

“She’s ruggedly determined,” he told the crowd.

Vicki and Shannah Blackburn listen to the speeches at the Shandee Blackburn 10 year memorial service at Harrup Park. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Vicki said the result stemming from the podcast was something she found “unbelievable”.

“Nobody saw what was coming, nobody envisaged where that was going to lead us,” she said.

“It’s not over yet, there’s still a lot of work to be done … but very proud of everyone.”

Dr Kirsty Wright at the Shandee Blackburn 10 year memorial service at Harrup Park. Picture: Janessa Ekert

Scientist Kirsty Wright, who uncovered perceived serious issues with the forensic handling of Shandee’s case, also spoke to the crowd.

“You were by my side the whole time, you were always encouraging me,” Dr Wright said, speaking to Vicki and Shannah in the crowd.

Dozens of people attended the Shandee Blackburn 10 year memorial service at Harrup Park. Picture: Janessa Ekert

SEE ALL THE PHOTOS FROM THE NIGHT

Her involvement, she said, began with agreed to answer what she thought would be “one scientific question”.

“I should have known better,” she said.

Then in a beautiful tribute to Shandee, the crowd, the majority of which was dressed in Shandee’s favourite colour green, was asked to blow bubbles at sunset, while a live band played Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

“Blowing those bubbles at sunset that was Shandee’s part of the night,” Vicki said.

“The bubbles and the song were played at her funeral and that’s something that we do quite often.”