Walk for Balin on two-year anniversary since Sunshine Coast teen stabbed to death
As a crowd gathered to remember Balin Stewart on the two-year anniversary of his stabbing death, his parents shared the heartbreaking advice they wish they could have given their teen son before it was too late. VIDEO.
Sunshine Coast
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An emotional but determined crowd has gathered to mark the two-year anniversary of Balin Stewart’s stabbing death while also advocating for tougher knife laws.
The parents of the slain Sunshine Coast teenager shared their journey since the tragic loss to a large group at the Kawana Surf Club on Saturday.
It’s been two years since their 16-year-old son died in their arms after he was stabbed to death by another teen who will walk out of his cell in a matter of years.
Balin Stewart, 16, died on January 20, 2022, after he was stabbed by a 17-year-old boy, nearly 18, in the street outside his home at Buddina on the Sunshine Coast.
His killer was convicted of manslaughter in September, 2023, and sentenced to seven years behind bars but will only have to serve half the sentence.
Ninety days in detention were also declared as time already served meaning the teen will be released from custody in late 2026 when he is aged 22.
Speaking to the crowd, Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart shared the heartbreaking advice they wish they could have given their son before he was taken for them.
“Our main purpose for the Balin Stewart foundation was simply to raise awareness and to educate teens,” Mr Stewart said.
“We were blindsided that there were teens on the Sunshine Coast carrying knives.
“If we could go back in time obviously, we don’t want that event to ever happen.”
Mr Stewart told the crowd he wished he could tell his son “not to be a hero” if he was ever confronted with a knife.
“Get away from a knife as quickly as possible,” he said.
“According to police statistics … a lot of teens say they carry a knife for protection.
“Our hope is that people power can get together a make a cultural change.
“I want the Balin Stewart foundation to get teens to look at carrying knives in such a negative way that nobody wants to carry a knife.”
The grieving father said he also wanted to encourage children and teens to tell a trusted adult if they knew and thought someone was carrying a knife.
“Get knives out of your mate's hands,” he said.
“If you’re a true mate then it’s not dobbing.
“At the time they may be angry with you but in time to come they’re going to thank you for saving their life and possibly somebody else's.”
Leader of the State Opposition, David Crisafulli, was also in attendance.
He said something needed to be done about youth justice laws.
“We want to see stronger laws and we want to see more awareness. That’s what things like today are all about,” he said.
“Through their suffering they’ve put an incredible message of change out there.
“We need to make sure kids know it’s not on to carry a knife anytime.
“We also need to have strong laws to make sure that if people do the wrong thing, then there are consequences for actions.”
Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie said Balin’s was a death which hit the local community hard.
“Our local community remembers Blain,” he said.
“Remembers what a top bloke he was and the future he now misses out on.
“Our message for Sunshine Coast teenagers is to hashtag bin the blade for Balin.
“Don’t take knives with you. Get rid of them. Throw them out.”
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