Lee-Ann Elmes running for Southern Grampians Shire council to help young people

The mother of a teenage boy killed in a horror four-person fatal crash in the state’s southwest says there aren’t enough opportunities for kids in regional towns – but she plans to change that.

Lee-Ann Elmes, pictured with her son Aaron, and husband Matthew, is running for Southern Grampians Shire council. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

In the wake of her teenage son’s death in a four-person fatal crash out of Hamilton, a grieving mother has made it her mission to safeguard the young people of her town.

There has been little in the way of closure for Lee Ann Elmes, 42, after her boy Joshua, 15, was taken from her in a high speed collision early last year.

16-months on, Ms Elmes has chosen to run in her local council election for the Southern Grampians Shire, with the aim of giving back to the community of Hamilton who supported her following the tragedy.

Ms Elmes told the Herald Sun a big reason in nominating for council revolved around Hamilton’s young people, who had become a major focus for her in the wake of Joshua’s death.

“My biggest passion is for the youth in Hamilton to have a voice,” she said.

Joshua Elmes was killed in a horrific crash in Bochara, that also claimed the lives of four other people. Picture: Facebook

Citing youth crime, a lack of job opportunities and education, Ms Elmes wants to encourage young people to avoid anti-social activities and stay in town.

“Why don’t we have anything to encourage, to keep these kids in town and give back to their community,” she added.

The tight-knit community in Hamilton was rocked by the deaths of three local teens and a South Australian woman after a red Toyota Corolla ploughed into a tree off Wannon-Nigretta Falls Rd early on May 27 last year.

Ms Elmes’ son Joshua, Lucus Garzoli, 14, Megan Fox, 14, and Alicia Montebello, 31, were found dead at the scene of the crash.

Megan’s teenage sister Jorja, 18, was the only person to walk away from the crash alive, having left hospital and returned home in the months following the incident.

The tragedy has affected each family deeply, with Ms Elmes saying it had been a painful year for everyone involved.

“We have our days … we are going the best we can,” she said.

Lee-Ann and Matthew Elmes with their children Jemma and Aaron, holding a photo of Joshua. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

As a way of coping, and helping other teens in town, Ms Elmes founded the Hamilton Youth Centre to give young people a place of support.

“Trying to keep the centre in the forefront of my mind and now running for council to try and make a difference, make a change in the community is keeping me going,” she added.

Ms Elmes said the journey following the crash had been made harder not knowing any answers as to why the crash happened or where investigators are at with their inquiries.

“It’s still an ongoing investigation which frustrates me,” she said.

“We don’t know anything, we haven’t got any word back.

“It’s not closure, it has not ended yet.”

Originally published as Lee-Ann Elmes running for Southern Grampians Shire council to help young people