Balin Stewart: Memorial plaque unveiled at Pacific Boulevard, Buddina

A permanent memorial to slain teen Balin Stewart has been unveiled at a Sunshine Coast beach as the family continues a campaign against youth knife crime.

A permanent memorial to slain Sunshine Coast teen Balin Stewart has been unveiled in front of dozens of loved ones, after negotiations with council to have something established in his memory.

Loved ones gathered for the unveiling of a touching beachside memorial for slain Buddina teenager Balin Stewart.

The 16-year-old was killed after he was stabbed in the chest by a then 17-year-old boy during an incident outside the Stewart’s home on January 20, 2021.

In light of the tragedy, parents Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart founded the Balin Stewart Foundation and the Bin the Blade for Balin campaign, which aims to reduce youth knife crime.

Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart revealed Balin’s memorial on Wednesday evening. Photos: Elizabeth Neil

On Wednesday afternoon, the Stewarts were joined by dozens of friends and family to witness the unveiling of a memorial plaque on a sandstone plinth in honour of their son.

It comes after negotiations with council over a permanent memorial for their son earlier this year.

The plaque is near a special park bench, known as Balin’s chair, at 215 Pacific Boulevard, Buddina. It overlooks the coastline that brought Balin a great amount of peace when he was alive.

Dozens turned up to celebrate Balin’s memorial. Photos: Elizabeth Neil

Mr Stewart thanked the friends and other teenagers who knew Balin for inspiring the memorial and helping bring it to fruition.

Mr Stewart hoped the plaque would inspire conversations about and reduce youth knife crime.

The annual Balin Forever Festival for his 18th birthday will be held at Venue 114 in Bokarina on September 9.

“Forever loved, forever young”: Balin Stewart’s memorial unveiled at Buddina. Photos: Elizabeth Neil

Balin’s killer, now 19-years-old and cannot be identified, was found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter in the Brisbane Supreme Court on June 9, after a gruelling 10-day trial.

Mr and Mrs Stewart took aim at youth justice legislation after their son’s killer was ordered to serve half of a seven year prison sentence.

Mr Stewart said they were “disillusioned” in the sentence, but despite voicing their disappointment said they will not appeal the sentence.

Balin Stewart, in trademark white T-shirt, holding the sun.

He said the trial was a “harrowing experience”, where they relived traumatic moments such as the triple-0 call after Balin was stabbed.

Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart at Brisbane Supreme Court. Picture: NCA NewsWIRE / John Gass

Mrs Stewart was particularly affected by the trial, he said, comparing her state at its conclusion to that shortly after Balin died.

“It was heartbreaking to watch her recede back into her shell again because of the trial,” he said.

He said they believed there was no basis for an appeal.

“We won’t be appealing, we don’t think there’s a need to appeal but what there needs to be … is the government needs to actually write into our laws a fair and reasonable consequence for these kids,” he said.

Michael and Kerri-Lyn Stewart will unveil a memorial stone that will be set into the ground near Balin’s memorial chair. Picture: Patrick Woods.

He called on the State Government to alter youth crime laws to implement a “sliding scale” of penalties according to the defendants age.

“An 18 year old and a 10 year old are vastly different in mental capacity … lets scale the consequences,” he said.

“One size does not fit all.

“We need a balanced, sensible approach and scale as the kid gets older he understands consequences more.”

Youth Justice Minister Dianne Farmer has been approached for comment.

Originally published as Balin Stewart: Memorial plaque unveiled at Pacific Boulevard, Buddina