A beautiful teenage girl killed by a maniac while she was walking home from her farewell party in Gosford last March.
On Saturday, the Central Coast community did what it does best – rallying for causes that make a difference, with thousands of locals turning out for a concert that honoured 19-year-old Audrey Griffin and advocate for a safer community going forward.
Audrey’s family and friends were joined by NSW Premier Chris Minns and community leaders as polytec Stadium, sitting pretty on the banks of the Brisbane Water at Gosford, became a sea of white as a mark of respect.
“We are here to celebrate Audrey’s life,” her heartbroken mother Kathleen Kirby told the assembled crowd. “Thank you for turning up to make a difference in our community.”
The Light Up concert to honour Audrey featured a stellar line-up of musical acts, including prominent Aussie rock band Birds of Tokyo, electronic hit maker Luude, Central Coast favourites The Moving Stills, and singer-songwriter Arabella Romi, a close friend of Audrey’s.
While the musical action was on a floor-protected strip of the main arena, there was a tent city of family-friendly activities, buskers and food providers behind the Stadium.
While a 6000-strong crowd turned out for the concert and family activities at polytec Stadium, the celebrations continued into the night at Drifters Wharf and other venues.
“Audrey loved making people happy. We have shed so many years, and this was about celebrating the girl we loved and raising awareness about the need to look after one another
“Light Up stands for a future where everyone has the simple right to get home safely,” added Kathleen, who was supported by Audrey’s father Trevor Griffin.
Premier Minns walked among locals in and around polytec Stadium, joined by local MPs Liesl Tesch (Member for Gosford), David Mehan (Member for The Entrance), Dr Gordon Reid (Member for Robertson) and Central Coast Mayor, Lawrie McKinna.
Talented athlete Audrey Griffin had been celebrating with friends at a local pub before leaving the Central Coast to start a new career in the navy. Her life was brutally cut short by a man with a history of domestic violence and who had been threatening his ex-wife earlier that evening.
Following his arrest and being charged with Audrey’s murder, the man was found dead in his cell at Silverwater. Police announced his death was not being treated as suspicious.
The NSW Government is currently reviewing the state’s bail conditions for alleged domestic violence perpetrators.
Premier Minns previously acknowledged that “abhorrent” acts of violence against women sent a “chilling message into the community”.
He said there should be “zero tolerance” from all parts of society, including the police, courts and government.
