Memorial created to pay tribute to Vyleen White after Shopping Centre stabbing

The family of Vyleen White has ensured her legacy will live on through a public memorial paying tribute to the grandmother who was stabbed to death in an Ipswich Shopping Centre.

Vyleen White Memorial at Kholo Gardens, Muirlea, Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Picture: Richard Walker

A memorial paying tribute to Vyleen White, a grandmother who was stabbed to death in an Ipswich Shopping Centre, has opened for the public to gather and reflect, more than a year after the tragedy.

On Saturday, Premier David Crisafulli, Ipswich City Council Mayor Teresa Harding, the family of Ms White attended the grand opening of the memorial at Kholo Gardens.

The Tribute next to a white bench reads “Taken suddenly and incomprehensibly on the 3rd of February 2024.

“Though taken by an unjust hand, she rests in peace, in heaven’s land. Her light lives on, still shining bright,” the tribute said.

The beloved Ipswich grandmother was stabbed in the carpark at Redbank Town Square on February 3, allegedly by a youth attempting to steal her car.

Holding back tears, Ms White’s daughter Cindy Micallef said she hoped it would be a place for residents to come and reflect.

Victor White and Cindy White at Vyleen White Memorial at Kholo Gardens, Muirlea, Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Picture: Richard Walker

“The idea of this memorial is not just to remember mum, but it’s also a shared space for the community to come so we can come together in our deepest grief,” she said.

“The community banded together with such an outpouring of love and kindness that has left us with a renewed respect for community spirit.

“Mum enjoyed having family photos with a nice backdrop, something simple, elegant, and that’s what we’ve tried to create here for everyone today, this memorial will outlive us, but it will remember mum, her kindness, her the love she shared and that with the essence of her being, we could all embody more compassion and gentleness with one another as we honour her legacy together.”

Mr Crisafulli said he offered to fund the memorial after several calls from Vyleen's widower Victor.

“I just want to start by saying I never got the chance to meet by Vyleen, but she changed my life, and I suspect she’s changed the life of Queenslanders, and that’s why so many of you are here today,” he said.

“It’s really moving. I have to say to the mayor, council’s done a really, really good job of this. I’m glad that we’ve been able to play a small part in helping to fund it.

Cindy White at Vyleen White Memorial at Kholo Gardens, Muirlea, Saturday, June 21, 2025 – Picture: Richard Walker

“But it’s been driven by family who Queenslanders have, through their grief, found a cause to get behind, and that cause is for a safer Queensland, and they have used an immense tragedy to drive change.

“And today is about reflecting on the individual and her contribution to her community in a place that she loves. And it’s a really, really special morning.”

Town Square Redbank Plains Shopping Centre stabbing victim Vyleen White supplied by her family.

Ipswich City Council mayor Teresa Harding said what happened to Ms White shook the city.

“We had a close knit family who went to their suburban shopping centre, and the most heinous crime happened,” she said.

“It shook our city, and out of that, we saw Vyleen’s family stand up, show compassion and dignity and also advocate for other victims of violence as well.

“We’re very fortunate that they have shown such compassion and worked with our city to do this memorial.”

Originally published as Memorial created to pay tribute to Vyleen White after Shopping Centre stabbing