Family’s backyard memorial pays tribute to murdered mum Katie Haley

Katie Haley’s life was tragically cut short in an act of domestic violence. Now her family has opened up on the life and legacy of the Diggers Rest mum.

A memorial to murdered mum Katie Haley is at the heart of a huge family playground.

The “massive” playground, built by her father Boyd Unwin in his backyard, is still a work in progress and includes a quiet space to remember Ms Haley, who was killed by her partner Shane Robertson in their Diggers Rest home last March.

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Mr Robertson was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 19 years in Victoria’s Supreme Court on March 6.

Mr Unwin and Ms Haley’s sister Bianca sat down with the Leader last week, shortly after the sentencing, and first anniversary of her death, to pay tribute to her.

Ms Unwin remembered how her “little big sister” encouraged and supported her.

“She was the big sister who would defend us, protect us,” Ms Unwin said.

“But at the same time she was so small and tiny we had to step up in that regard as well.”

Katie Haley was remembered by her family as a protective older sister and dedicated mum. Picture: Supplied

Her father remembered Ms Haley as an independent woman who worked hard to provide for her two kids.

“Everything was loud. If she was having an argument, it was loud but if she was having fun it was loud. If there was a bug, it was loud and she wouldn’t go near it,” he said.

Mr Unwin said she soldiered on with work, despite an osteoporosis diagnosis and broken back after a car accident.

“She was tough. You wouldn’t think it looking at her but when you see what she went through,” he said.

Shane Robertson (left) leaves the Supreme Court after being jailed for murdering Katie Haley. Picture: James Ross

Mr Unwin said the giant playground he’d spent the last few months building for his two grandchildren was still a work in progress.

“When I say massive, it’s massive,” he said.

“My wife and I have written off our lives as just making sure these two children are getting everything they need. That’s our job. You never get over it, you just learn to live with it as best you can.”

COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN THE WAKE OF TRAGEDY

Mr Unwin said the support of communities locally and abroad had been phenomenal.

“Within hours of it, friends and family were turning up with bits and pieces because they knew people would be coming,” he said.

In the following days and weeks friends dropped around food, hampers were organised for the family and fundraisers were held in support of Ms Haley’s children.

Mr Unwin said he’d been “lifted up” by members of his community, friends and family.

Katie Haley's family has paid tribute to her life. Picture: Supplied

While he doesn’t want his daughter’s legacy to be reduced to what happened to her, their family wanted to see more education around domestic violence.

“It’s an unconditional love for your child and their memory. As I said at the court the other day, we don’t want Katie known for what happened to her,” he said.

Both agreed the sentence was irrelevant to the family, but failed to set a strong precedent for other domestic violence cases.

“The sentence, as I said the other day, is irrelevant to us because effectively we’ve got the life sentence,” he said.

MORE THAN JUST A LEGACY

Ms Unwin said she wanted to see society-wide change when it came to violence against women.

“What we want is what comes from this to be her legacy, not what happened to her,” she said.

“We want to be able to show her kids that there is something good associated with what’s happened.”

She hoped her sister’s story could inspire change and raise awareness.

“We can show them years down the track when they’re in school and there’s an education program and they make mention of Katie and the movement ‘that’s your mum and she’s done something’,” she said.

“She’s continuing on. She’s guiding people. She’s guiding her children to a safe relationship.”

Boyd and Bianca Unwin. Picture: Rob Leeson

While they wanted Ms Haley’s life to be about more than what happened to her, both said there was a message that needed to be sent.

Outside the court, Ms Haley’s friends and family wore red in support of the Red Heart Campaign. The organisation is aimed at giving a voice to victims and survivors of domestic violence, as well as tracking the number of lives lost each year.

“They don’t forget them. I think that’s a key thing, they’re not letting their names be forgotten,” Ms Unwin said.

Mr Unwin said he wanted other people to know they deserved to be treated with respect and trust.

“We’re doing it now because, I suppose you want to make her death mean something — or at least be not for nothing,” he said.

“If they’re not treating you well, it’s not okay. It’s not right. That’s not love, that’s not respect.”

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