Tammy Temple survived a brutal attack as a teen, now she needs a home

At 15 Tammy Temple was attacked with a hatchet by a fellow student and left for dead, years later she feels abandoned again as she struggles to find a home for herself and her daughter.

Young mum Tammy of Hobart who has been through some traumatic events in life is now facing homelessness. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

When she was 15 Tammy Temple was attacked with a hatchet by a fellow student and left for dead on the banks of the Derwent River – years later she feels abandoned again as she struggles to find a home for herself and her daughter.

“I’ve got nowhere to go, it’s scary,” Ms Temple says.

“I have to make a stand because it’s not fair at all.”

She is currently in a private rental unit at Berriedale but is packing up to leave soon because the interstate owner wants to renovate and then rent it out for up to $500 a week, well above what she pays now.

Young mum Tammy of Hobart who has been through some traumatic events in life is now facing homelessness. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Temple says she has been waiting seven years for public housing.

It is a miracle she survived the brutal attack at Bridgewater.

Ms Temple spent three months in hospital and was left with a brain injury.

She was on track to become a child care worker but returning to study was difficult and her injuries mean she cannot drive or work and has trouble with daily tasks.

Ms Temple has anxiety, depression, constant headaches and has had seizures in the past.

When sentencing her attacker former Chief Justice Ewan Crawford said it was a “chilling and horrific crime”, with dreadful consequences for the victim.

The boy was sentenced to eight years in detention and now lives interstate.

Mum Dianne Hayworth, who is her part-time carer, says everyone’s life changed forever after the attack and questions why no-one can help her daughter.

Brutal bashing victim, Tammy Temple 16, attempts to recover her life after being viciously attacked with a hammer-shaped object (hatchet) on the banks of the River Derwent, and left for dead by a former school friend on 15/03/2009.

“He has been helped to live a new life but what about Tammy?

“She should have been dead because her head was smashed in - but she’s so strong.

“She has a brain injury and lives in her own little world which many people don’t understand.

“I want to know she is going to get a house and be safe.”

Ms Temple faces financial challenges living on a disability support pension. She wants to continue living in the area to be close to her daughter’s school and her mother.

She does not want to move to Bridgewater because even passing through the suburb triggers negative emotions.

Housing Minister Guy Barnett says he’s aware of Ms Temple’s circumstances.

Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing Guy Barnett says he’s aware of Ms Temple’s circumstances. Picture: David Killick

“I can confirm Housing Connect has already assigned a support worker to Ms Temple to help manage her situation,” he said.

“The Tasmanian Government recognises that there are too many Tasmanians who are without appropriate shelter and accommodation and we’re working hard to build more homes, faster.”

Independent MP for Clark Kristie Johnston said as a victim of a horrific violent assault “Tammy’s life has already been permanently scarred”.

“Now, through no fault of her own, she is facing homelessness as the victim of a broken private rental market and an out of control public housing waiting list,” she said.

“It is completely unacceptable that anyone, let alone someone who has been through so much already, is asked if she can pitch a tent for her and her 9-year-old daughter in someone’s yard.

“That is not a solution to impending homelessness. At what point will this Government finally recognise that the housing crisis is now a state of disaster?”