Memorial Seating a Quiet Place to Remember DV Victim
Local domestic violence victim Mackenzie Anderson is being remembered today with the unveiling of a memorial bench seat dedicated to her in the picturesque outskirts of Gregson Park, Hamilton. 21 year old Mackenzie was tragically murdered, allegedly by her ex-partner at her Mayfield unit on March 25 2022, in front of her then one year old son.
The installation of the bench seat was the idea of Mackenzie’s close friend and now domestic violence advocate Alice Mcevoy, who along with Mackenzie’s mother Tabitha Acret, City of Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Cr Peta Winney-Baartz and Got Your Back Sista Founder Melissa Histon, attended the dedication ceremony and bench seat unveiling.
Ms Mcevoy said the seating is a special place where she can sit and think of her friend, and allow other people to enjoy the things Mackenzie loved, such as picnics with family and friends.
“When we lost Mackenzie, I was so touched by how many people in the community felt devastated by her loss. That’s when I got the idea of a memorial bench - I knew we needed a beautiful place to be able to go to and remember her.
“For me this bench brings a lot of comfort in a horrible situation. I will always visit and remember the special memories we shared together,” Ms Mcevoy said.
Tabitha Acret said it is important we continue to remember all the victims that are not here.
“We can’t stop saying their names. We need to talk about what happened so we can hopefully save other women’s lives.
“Having the chair gives us somewhere as a family to sit and reflect. We spread Mackenzie’s ashes in Byron Bay so we can’t visit as regularly as we would like, so this gives us a place locally where I can go and take her son to feel like we are always keeping her in our memory.
“Mackenzie would be so proud of Alice and the work she is doing to keep her memory alive, and fighting for the safety of women,” Ms Acret said.
The memorial seat was funded by Newcastle family Jan and Frank Bynon and domestic violence charity Got Your Back Sista, while City of Newcastle approved the location of the seating and assisted with the installation. Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said City of Newcastle was a proud supporter of Got Your Back Sista and honoured to play its part in Mackenzie’s memorial.
“I’m pleased we have been able to play a part in remembering Mackenzie and commend Got Your Back Sista for their ongoing efforts to support families affected by domestic violence,” Cr Nelmes said.
Several members of Mackenzie’s family and friends were on hand to unveil the seating at a private ceremony conducted by Got Your Back Sista. The memorial seating can be found on the western boundary of Gregson Park, near the Samdon Street entrance. It’s hoped Mackenzie’s bench will be a reminder that Mackenzie was more than a statistic; she was a cherished daughter, a beloved friend, and a valued member of our community.
