‘Women are being discarded’: Melbourne vigil draws emotional crowd

Scores of people have gathered at a vigil to remember more than a dozen women killed or allegedly murdered in Victoria this year as cries grow for the government to take action to stop the violence.

A crowd gathers to honour Victorian women who have lost their lives this year. Picture: Josie Hayden

An emotional vigil was held on Saturday to remember the 15 women killed in Victoria this year.

Donning red or wearing T-shirts with the words “stop killing women” or “she matters”, more than 100 people, including family and friends of those killed, gathered in Clifton Hill to remember the women whose lives were cut short this year.

A sister of Emma Bates - who was found dead in her Cobram home in April - shared a touching poem written by a family member.

Affectionately known as Kaz, the 49-year-old’s sister said this year had been the hardest as a result of her “amazing” sister’s death.

“She should be still here,” she told the crowd. “It just doesn’t stop; the pain, the tears, it just doesn’t go away.”

A woman lays flowers at the vigil. Picture: Josie Hayden

Alex, a friend of 19-year-old Isla Bell, remembered his dear friend as a “radiant presence” who lit up the lives of those around her.

Alex said while the reason behind the congregation had gathered for tragic reasons, it was a truly compassionate show of support.

“Losing someone so profoundly connected to your heart is heartbreaking,” Alex said.

Family and friends of Isla were in attendance at the rally, where one family member offered a short tribute to Isla, remembering her passion for women’s rights and nature.

Wearing a shirt proudly supporting her friend of over 17 years, Alice shared touching words about teacher’s aide Hannah McGuire, 23.

She said Hannah’s death had rocked the small town of Clunes since her remains were found in a burnt-out car outside Ballarat in April.

She remembered Hannah as a “sassy and energetic” friend who was loved by her students at work.

“We are never going to stop fighting for Hannah,” she said.

Mordialloc woman Sandra Dobrila. Picture: Instagram

Isla Bell. Picture: Facebook

Charlyze Hayter. Picture: Instagram

Joanne Perry. Picture: Facebook

Vicky Apostolopoulos. Picture: Facebook

As part of the Red Heart campaign, participants wore an element of red and placed flowers at the base of trees where a portrait of each victim was erected around the park.

Sandra Dobrila, Isla Bell, Hannah McGuire, Samantha Murphy, Charlyze Hayter, Lolene Whitehand, Rebecca Young, Annette Brennan, Swetha Medhagani, Annie Ng, Emma Bates, Nikkita Azzopardi, Yuko, Joanne Perry and Vicky Apostolopoulos were all remembered as part of the event.

Lolene Whitehand.

Annette Brennan.

Emma Bates. Picture: Supplied

Chaithanya Madhagani (Swetha). Picture: Facebook

Hannah McGuire.

Samantha Murphy.

Organiser and femicide researcher Sherele Moody said she hadn’t seen a year like this one with so many women killed.

Ms Moody called out those in government for their inaction to tackle homicide against women, labelling it the “biggest social justice issue” facing Australia.

“We have inadequate action by policy makers, a refusal, especially at the top levels of government, to acknowledge that homicide is a major issue in this country,” she said.

The vigil at Darling Gardens in Clifton Hill. Picture: Josie Hayden

Sherele Moody speaks at the vigil. Picture: Josie Hayden

Event-goer Marian Dixon, 71, said she felt an overwhelming sense of “sadness” at the current climate of violence against women.

“All these women’s lives have been lost… and we are about two weeks out from Christmas,” Ms Dixon said.

“Women (are) being discarded in garbage bins for God’s sake, is that all their lives are worth?”

Ms Dixon, like many in the crowd, have called for those perpetrators to be held to account for their actions.