Compassionate dad Robert Taylor uses his own experience to help families of murder victims
WHEN words fail and grief is merciless, Robert Taylor recognises the aftermath of murder. The Pride of Australia nominee supports people whose loved one has been murdered.
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WHEN words fail and grief is merciless, Robert Taylor recognises the aftermath of murder.
The Mosman resident is head of the Homicide Victims’ Support Group which supports people whose loved one has been murdered.
All he can do sometimes, says Mr Taylor, is give people a hug.
“Sometimes there are no words — I just tell people I’ve been through this too,” he said.
Mr Taylor, a nominee for a Pride of Australia award, lost his son Simon, 33, in 2003.
The family went to sell a diamond ring in Glebe and the exchange turned into a botched robbery.
Simon was fatally stabbed while Mr Taylor only just survived his stab wounds.
Since then, he and his wife Rosalie have devoted themselves to the Homicide Victims’ Support Group which helped heal their despair.
Mr Taylor, 77, does more than provide a hug of compassion. He spends hours talking to families and weeks sitting beside them in courtrooms. He and the support group are also establishing the trauma centre Grace’s Place and organising events like the Ebony and Ivory Ball and a peace ride led by police, both events to be held this month.
Mr Taylor says he is inspired by the memory of his son, who wanted to be a doctor, in his work for the Homicide Victims’ Support Group.
“He was a wonderful, compassionate man who’d give you the shirt off his
back,’’ he said.
Mr Taylor is still haunted by the fact he survived the attack and his son did not.
“I still wish I could have changed places with Simon,” said Mr Taylor.
“But I will see him one day and he’ll give me a big hug and say G’day Dad.”
Mr Taylor said police give victims’ families the contact details for the support group and its up to the family whether they seek out the group.
Mr Taylor and his wife have been honoured by an invitation to ride in a vintage police car as the lead car for the Ride for Justice and PeaceNic from the Sydney Cricket Ground to Parramatta Park on Sunday, October 16.
The parade of motorbikes will be led by NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and TV journalist Simon Bouda.
The Ebony and Ivory Ball, named in honour of murder victim Ebony Simpson whose parents founded the Homicide Victims Support Group, will be held on October 22 at the Four Seasons Hotel.
Grace’s Place, which is located at Doonside, will be a residential trauma centre for children and young people who have experienced a homicide in their family.
The centre is named in honour of Anita Cobby’s mother Grace.
Details: hvsg.com.au
Pride of Australia nominees are people who have inspired with their dedication, initiative, courage or acts of charity. Visit prideofaustralia.com.au to nominate.
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