‘Our lives have been fractured’: mother of Bondi Junction stabbing victim Jade Young calls for mental health reform

The mother of Sydney architect Jade Young – killed while shopping for a birthday present – have spoken of being ‘wrenched from a quiet retirement’ to co-parent Jade’s traumatised children.

The mother of Bondi Junction stabbing victim Jade Young calls for mental health reform at her daughter’s memorial. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

The mother of a woman killed in the Bondi Junction attack said there will be “no back to normal” following the death of her daughter.

Hundreds of family and friends of mother-of-two Jade Young gathered in The Calyx at Sydney’s Botanic Gardens at 11am on Tuesday morning to celebrate her life.

Ms Young’s mother, Elizabeth Young, expressed her grief and called for an overhaul to Australia’s mental health system.

“Our lives have been fractured,” she said.

“Solace was spoken of at Sunday’s vigil: believe me, there is no solace.”

Elizabeth described her daughter as “soft-hearted” and “hardworking”, and revealed she was killed while shopping for a birthday present for a child’s party the next day.

Bondi Junction stabbing victim, 47-year-old Jade Young.

“My granddaughter … would have been skipping alongside her chatting about this and that and nothing,” Elizabeth told those in attendance.

She said her granddaughter knew something bad had happened, because ‘Mummy had the twisted face she made when she didn’t like something”.

Ms Young said she and her husband had been “wrenched out of a quiet retirement” and have been “uprooted into a world of co-parenting two beloved, vulnerable, traumatised girls”.

“My husband and I are old, we have health problems. We’ll dedicate the remainder of our lives to our grandchildren and to our magnificent son-in-law.

“But the reality is he is now responsible for raising two girls without the support of a partner.

“He will somehow have to weave into an already busy work life the needs of the girls, school lunches, ballet lessons, swimming lessons, parent meetings at school, shopping for birthday presents ordinary things.”

She also said she “never again” wants to read the words “tragic” or “tragedy” associated with Joel Cauchi, the “perpetrator of the murder of (her) daughter”.

“He came prepared, he had an intention. He was a killer who slipped past Westfield security, making a shopping centre the most dangerous place on earth for Jade,” Ms Young said through tears.

“I am heart-fractured and angry. I’m exhausted and scared for the future.”

Elizabeth called for more than “disingenuous” words from politicians in wake of the tragedy.

She added she wants “more than five minutes” of “disingenuous” words from politicians, and more than three days of news coverage.

“On a personal level I want Jade’s girls to grow up believing there is security, goodness and love in the world,” she said.

“But also on another level I want politicians, both federal and state, to address the gaps in mental health care to make it a safer world for our girls and all Australians.”

Jade Young’s brother was one of many to share heartfelt, personal stories of the beloved mother.

He recalled how she had once slammed his head into a door after he touched her hamburger at the dinner table.

“The door hitting my head meant I slit my eyelid open and needed stitches. As a result, Jade cried more than me,” he said.

“I will love you, always,” he finished.

She was described as a caring person who made everyone “feel special”.

Friends, family and mourners arrive for the service. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Swift

Ms Young’s aunt, Penelope St Clair, said when something “truly terrible happens, all we can do is stand together”.

“Our lives will continue, though for some sadness will be a constant companion,” she said.

“We have memories of (Ms Young) which have been strengthened today.

“And when grief comes calling, as it will … remember how our love for Jade has been made stronger. And remember, as several speakers have said, it will live on with us forever.”

Prior to the memorial the family released a statement, saying the loss had left a “gaping hole” in their lives.

“The loss of Jade Young at the catastrophic attack at Bondi Junction on the 13th of April has shattered our world,” the statement read.

“While we have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from friends and the community, Jade’s death has left a gaping hole in our lives. Her children were her life, and we do not want their future to be shaped by her death.

“Today’s memorial at the Calyx is a celebration of Jade’s life and we know many in our community loved her.”

More than $230,000 has been raised for the family of Ms Young in a GoFundMe page.