Dozens join Mia Rossiter’s family for memorial march through Geelong
The family of a 12-year-old girl who died in a horror crash at Stonehaven say a community march is just the beginning of a campaign for justice reform.
Geelong
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Calls for justice reform and awareness of the state’s road toll echoed through Geelong’s CBD as a dozens took to the streetsin the memory of a 12-year-old killed in a horror crash.
Mia Rossiter, 12, died at the scene of a head-on collision on the Hamilton Hwy at Stonehaven on January 3 last year, after a car smashed into the car her family were travelling in.
Around 100 people joined the Rossiter family to march one year on from the horror crash.
The march commenced at the steps of the Geelong Law Courts and ended at Eastern Gardens, via Malop St.
Attendees marched with Mia’s parents and grandparents at the head, carrying a banner emblazoned with slogans including “Justice for Mia” and “Fix our bloody system”.
Many of those in attendance also wore T-shirts with the slogan, as well as “Forever12”.
Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj and his family were among those who joined the march.
Last year 282 people lost their lives on Victoria’s roads.
Mia’s father, Paul, who spent significant time following the collision on crutches, said the family were thrilled by the response and were planning on making the march an annual event.
“(We) appreciate everyone being here, not just for our girl, but what we’re trying to achieve with changing the justice system,” Mr Rossiter said, noting the turnout had exceeded expectations.
“The majority of people here, I don’t think they actually met Mia; for us that’s massive.
“We feel it’s good, it’s getting that awareness out … obviously these people want to make a difference.
“Whether they’ve been affected, or know someone who has been affected – we all know someone.”
Mr Rossiter said if they could prevent another family from experiencing what they had, Mia’s life would have been worth it.
“She can’t be here physically to make the difference, but our actions; doing something like this, will hopefully go a long way to making something change,” he said.
“There are 270-odd deaths in Victoria; I’m sure half of them are avoidable.”
“You’d rather get there five minutes late that not get there at all.”
Mr Rossiter said the family were also calling for tougher laws, specifically around bail and parole, to stop serial bad drivers being given “too many chances”.
A petition will follow the march, Mr Rossiter said, to the premier or the justice minister, with a goal for 200 signatures.
“Just to make a difference (and) show them it’s not just us, there’s a lot of people out there that want to make a change,” he said.
The man alleged to be responsible for the collision was in September committed to stand trial, charged with a number of offences including culpable driving causing death.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
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