Thank you Coleen Davey and Linda Walsh

Rhonda Neighbourly Lead from Hastings Central

Huge thanks to Coleen Davey and Linda Walsh who organised today's 26th Annual Memorial Service for New Zealand Murder Victims.

Today's Ceremony was held at Albert Square, Hastings.

It was sobering to listen to the Roll Of Honour read allowed, to hear the names, ages and years that people had died at the hand of another person. To see the photos of children who never grew up to see their future and not live out the hopes and dreams of what could have been, was heartbreaking.

It was my privilege and honour to help lead today's service and to meet the family members who came to give tribute and honour their person. However, when I looked in their eyes and greeted them with a handshake, I felt sadness and grief. To hear an older man talk of his son who was killed when he was 50 years old and to realise that as parents our babies are always our babies no matter how old they are and to have someone take a child away is beyond all understanding. To watch a grown woman cry because her father was killed 20 years ago - she looks so young, how old could she have been?

When I grew up in Napier in the '70s and '80s, I remember what happened to our community as we grieved the loss of those who were slain as victims of kidnapping and homicide.
Later in the early '90s, I lived in Dunedin, and again, I recall my friends who were taken at the hand of another person.

I cannot begin to imagine how life has been for the survivors of homicide victims, but without a doubt, I can say "I am so very sorry, and my deepest love is with surviving family and friends."

Thanks for listening, Neighbours and Friends. Also, thanks to Mayor Sandra Hazelhurst for attending today and joining with others in their open speeches of unity. Coleen Davey and Linda Walsh and Linda's mum Joanne are wonderful volunteers to organise the event for today and bring us together. Thank you.