Tayla Black’s parents make statement at Rockhampton DV rally

The family of alleged Queensland murder victims Tayla Black and her 11-week-old daughter Murphy has delivered a powerful message at a domestic violence march as they prepare to mark what should have been the baby girl’s first birthday. VIDEO, PHOTOS.

The family of slain Queensland mother Tayla Black and her 11-week-old Murphy has released a special message as fed-up Australians march around the country in what should have been a joyous milestone month for the baby girl.

The statement, issued on behalf of Tayla’s parents Anmaree and Gerry Black, was read out at the “Stop violence against women” rally on Rockhampton’s Fitzroy riverbank on Saturday by event organiser Ashleigh Saunders.

“In honour of our beloved girls Tayla Black and Murphy Margaret, we have started TBMMBEKIND to be able to spread kindness throughout our community in their honour and keep their memories alive,” the statement read.

Photograph posted on TBMMBEKIND Facebook page on May 3, 2024: Tayla loved to read to Murphy, it was special bonding time for them both and Murphy, just like her Mumma was going to be the smartest little girl!

“We would like to thank everyone for their support and the community for wrapping their arms around us during this incredibly traumatic time.

“We need to keep turning up speaking up and challenging gender-based violence to protect our mothers and sisters, daughters.

“One life lost is one too many.

“Let’s all come together say their name ‘always was Taylor Black and always will be Murphy Margaret’.

“Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram and help us spread kindness in their honour.”

Gerry and Anmaree also said in their message that they wished they could be at the rally but could not.

The TBMMBEKIND Facebook page has 1388 friends as of today.

On the page is a message from the family.

“For Murphy’s 1st Birthday, we are going to be donating books to local organisations that can provide them to kids who may not have their own books,” it reads

“If you would like to donate a book, we will add them to our collection.

“You can drop them into Wink For Hair – 124 William St, Rockhampton City or Dee’s Fine Jewellery – 89 East St, Rockhampton City. “Alternatively, if you’re family or friends of our family, you can drop your books off to Anmaree and Gerry.”

Tayla and Murphy were both found dead in their Rockhampton home on August 8 last year having both allegedly suffered stab wounds.

Matthew Cox remains before the courts charged with their murders.

‘Violence is non-discriminatory’ - MP’s claimed sex assault highlighted at rally

Keppel MP Brittany Lauga’s claims she had been drugged and sexually assaulted at Yeppoon were also highlighted at the rally.

“Violence against women is non-discriminatory,” Ms Saunders said.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, or what position of perceived power you hold, we know that women hurt.

“Stop violence against women” rally organiser Ashleigh Saunders addresses the 60+ crowd at Rockhampton's Fitzroy Riverbank on May 4, 2024.

“And we know that we continue to get harassed, assaulted and murdered in this country.

“We’ve seen it this week in our community with a member of parliament from Keppel put a statement out today because of the recent activity that happened on the weekend and her assault.

“It doesn’t matter who you are in this country, it doesn’t matter what happens, if you’re a woman, you’re at risk.”

Ms Saunders said the community needs to make sure they are not being bystanders to such crimes, filming it and posting it on social media.

She said we need to make sure we are not condemning women, that we pull up offenders, intervene, and say “that’s doesn’t look right to me”.

On Saturday morning, Ms Lauga revealed to the media and on her social pages that “In the early hours of Sunday morning I went to the Yeppoon Police Station and Yeppoon Hospital, after being drugged and sexually assaulted”.

Brittany Lauga MP. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Tests at the hospital confirmed the presence of drugs in my body which I did not take. This substance impacted me significantly.

“A police investigation is underway. I have been contacted by other women who may also have been drugged in Yeppoon on Saturday night.”

‘We need to keep the momentum going’

Armed with placards more than 60 people attended a rally on Saturday morning.

The event is among hundreds held across Australia since Family and Domestic Violence month started this week on May 1.

Armed with placards, more than 60 people attended a rally this morning at Rockhampton's Fitzroy Riverbank to get across multiple messages about Family and Domestic Violence.

“Violence against women is a pervasive and deeply troubling issue that’s taking on multiple forms in our country,” Ms Saunders said.

“It is something that affects every single family, every single woman and everybody here today has a story to tell in some form or another.

“It takes on many forms in our community, from sexual harassment in the workplace, rape, domestic violence, sexual assaults.

“It can start as one of the most innocuous things to unwanted attention, unwanted touching, unwanted further attention, starting in the workplace, starting in our communities, starting on a night out at the pub, and it can lead and continue on to more pervasive and damaging actions like domestic violence.”
She said every four days, another woman is murdered in Australia.

“I think domestic violence is getting worse,” she said.

“So (funding) should be increased to reflect the need.”

Research released this week by the Australian Institute of Criminology puts this into critical focus, revealing an alarming 28 per cent increase in the number of female intimate partner homicides (AIC, 2024).

Data published by Relationships Australia in November 2022 as part of its Relationship Indicators research revealed that almost nine per cent of our community (or 1.7 million people) felt unsafe disagreeing with the people they considered to be most important in their lives.

Organiser, Ashleigh Saunders, said support services were in high demand and “under the pump” more than ever before.

“We need to keep the momentum going so that governments continue to invest in this space, Ms Saunders said.

“I’m calling on all people in the community to come together to stand against violence against women, educate your children, and continue the momentum of the campaign to make sure we have governments investing in these spaces so we have people accessing the services they need.”

Ms Saunders’ advice for people suffering from domestic violence was simple.

“Help is there and it’s hard, I know that it’s hard, but help is there,” she said.

Why men need to speak out too

“We need to change the culture from within,” Ms Saunders said.

“We need men to stand up and be counted and take a firm line and say that ‘we aren’t going to tolerate this anymore’.”

Plumbers Union Central Queensland organiser Chris McJannett did stand up at the rally, saying: “We know that violence against women is not okay.”

Plumbers Union Central Queensland organiser Chris McJannett spoke at the "Stop violence against women" rally at Rockhampton's Fitzroy Riverbank on May 4, 2024.

“We know that even just the smallest of actions can have a big impact on people around us,” he said.

“We shouldn’t have to call this behaviour out, we should not have to call out our colleagues for doing things or sharing things or saying things that are simply not okay or make people feel uncomfortable in their own skin in their own household, in their own community.

“On behalf of men like me, I want to say ‘we stand by you and we’re not here to speak for you, but we are absolutely here to stand by you and behind you and to back you up if you need anything.

“We are here to help.”

Originally published as Tayla Black’s parents make statement at Rockhampton DV rally