Kelly Wilkinson’s kids preparing for new start almost two years after mother’s alleged murder

This is the home where the children of Kelly Wilkinson – who died after being allegedly set on fire in her Arundel backyard in April 2020 – will live. Find out when they can move in.

Danielle and Rhys Carroll with their kids and the kids of Kelly Wilkinson outside the house which is being built for them entirely through donations after Kelly’s alleged murder. Picture Glenn Hampson

This is the home eight children have been asking about at least once a week.

It is not finished – still a construction site of plaster board and bricks being laid – but even in this form it offers hope.

It is the home where the children of Kelly Wilkinson – who died after being allegedly set on fire in her Arundel backyard in April 2020 – will live.

Her estranged ex-husband Brian Earl Johnston has been charged with murder and is awaiting trial.

After her death, Kelly’s three children went to live with Kelly’s sister Danielle Carroll, her husband Rhys Carroll and their five children.

Their current quarters are so tight at the moment they have living with two children to a bedroom and two children also sharing Mr and Mrs Carroll’s bedroom.

Greg Heaton from Metricon Homes and organiser Tamika Smith show Danielle and Rhys Carroll and the children the new home being built for them by builders and volunteers. Picture Glenn Hampson

On Friday, the family – minus two children who are on school camp – got the chance to take a sneak peak at the home which has been entirely donated to them.

The home, under construction by Metricon, was pulled together by construction industry entrepreneur Tamika Smith, who learned about the tragedy and thought she could help.

Ms Smith arranged for land to be donated, Metricon to manage the build, supplies to be donated and tradies to donate their time.

The Bulletin visited the site with the Carrolls and their children on Friday to see how the build was coming along.

Kelly Wilkinson was found dead in her Arundel backyard. Her estranged husband has been charged with her murder. Picture: Facebook

The last time the home was shown to the public it was a slab on the ground.

But the progress has been closely monitored by the family.

“We have snuck out here,” Mr Carroll said.

“The first time we came here it was overwhelming to see the slab and then the building.”

The pair said the children had picked their bedrooms off the plan and were thinking about how they might decorate their space.

Asked what is was like to see the building with a roof and walls, Ms Carroll said: “It sunk in finally.”

While on the ground floor, the children pointed to the area their bedrooms would be on the upper level and asked the builders where rooms like the kitchen would be.

The children were unable to get in the top level because the steps were yet to be built, so Ms Smith took a video of the upstairs level to show their children the progress.

Danielle and Rhys Carroll also have plans to start a foundation to help secondary victims of domestic violence. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Ms Carroll described the past few months as “hectic”.

“The house will be a new start for the kids,” she said.

The family expect to get into the home by about April next year but it is not the only big thing on their horizon.

Ms Carroll said they are working to launch their own foundation in Kelly’s honour – a charity dedicated to helping the secondary victims of domestic violence, such as siblings or parents who take in children.

“Kelly was such a giving person so it really in line with who she was.”

Mr Carroll added: “We have been really fortunate in this instance to have the help we have, not everyone gets that.”

Ms Smith said she was grateful Metricon had stuck with the project and kept progressing on the build even with the challenges facing the construction industry.

While the home is nearing completion, Metricon is still calling for help.

The company is asking for tilers or painters who wish to donate their time to get in contact.

Metricon director Jason Biasin said the company was proud to continue work on the new home.

“The frame and roof are now complete and brick laying has commenced. Danielle, Rhys and their now eight children have begun counting down the weeks until they can move into their customised Merricks 38 and can picture what their new life will be like in this spacious new home,” he said.

The location of the home has been kept confidential to protect the family’s privacy.

Companies who have donated to the build:

* Metricon

* Residential Scaffold

* A & L

* PCG

* Laminex

* Hudsons

* James Hardie

* Gainsborough / Allegion

* Super Stubbie

* TFH

* FF Pods and Reo

* Capitol Concrete

* Boral Concrete

* Reece

* Scneider Clipsal

* Eagle Cranes

* Termicide

* Metricon Site Managers and Construction Managers Chris and Gabi Bailey, Matthew Goodrow, Wade Sullivan, Sam Mazzola

* Deep Blue Air Cond

* Mainline Plumbing

* Annands Electrical

* ATT

* Stoddarts Steel House Frames

* Stoddarts Roofing

* EE fit

* Stratus

* James Hardie

* Dulux - Paint and Render

* Network Steel

* Boral Plasterboard

* JGB Interiors

* A&L windows

* S&A Stairs

* Claytons Kitchens

* Gainsborougjh

* Corinthian

* Brendan Rafter

* Diesel Dig it

* Steve Cooper Surveyors

* STA Engineers

*Austral Bricks

* Home Timber and Hardware

* Residential Scaffold Australia

* Buildsafe

* Professional Certification Group

* RACQ

* National Tiles

* Dynamic Door Service

* Civic Screens

* Chromagen

* Carpet Call

* Lovelight

* Plungie

* Goop Guys

* Ross Brunner

* Knotwood

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Originally published as Kelly Wilkinson’s kids preparing for new start almost two years after mother’s alleged murder