More than a hundred people gathered in Tenterfield’s Millbrook Park on a cold Friday morning, September 9, to remember a boy who loved babies, football and Michael Jackson, and was in that awkward stage growing from a teenager into the man he would never have the opportunity to become.
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The memorial for Clinton Speedy-Duroux – the 16-year-old murdered in Bowraville in 1991 with no-one as yet punished for the crime – was unveiled in front of a crowd of family and friends including Clinton’s bereaved parents June Speedy and Thomas Duroux and his brothers David and Charles.
Dignitaries invited to participate in the unveiling included NSW attorney general Gabrielle Upton who is spearheading the Court of Appeal case to retry the prime suspect in the murder of Clinton as well as Colleen Walker-Craig, also 16, and four-year-old Evelyn Greenup. Receiving a hero’s welcome when he took the microphone was Detective Inspector Gary Jubelin, who has taken up the families’ cause and championed it through a renewed investigation process.
NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Leslie Williams also attended, as did MP David Shoebridge who was the only parliamentarian to meet family members when they first protested at Parliament House over the injustice they had received.
“They went from being ignored, on the periphery, to by the third protest being heard in the heart of government,” Mr Shoebridge said.
“It’s the 21st century. Aboriginal people deserve respect.
“The focus has been on Bowraville but it was Tenterfield where Clinton didn’t come home, and here that the loss was so sharply felt.”
Ms Williams said as a mother she couldn’t imagine how unbearable it would be to lose a child, and she admired the three families for their dedication in pursuing justice for their children.
“This collaboration, respect and partnership is so important as we move into the future,” she said.
“This memorial is a place to come together, to feel safe and welcome, and to unite to remember, reflect and, most importantly, honour Clinton.”
Attorney General Upton said pursuing justice for the families of the children murdered in Bowraville over a five-month period in 1990/91 had been a major part of her work in the 18 months since she took office.
“Three wristbands given to me by Leonie (Duroux) – a red one for Clinton, a yellow one for Evelyn and a black one for Colleen– sit on my desk as a daily reminder.”
She said prosecutors are working closely with Detective Jubelin to soon return the fight to the courts.
“I believe we have the best possible people working on that case. We’re all committed to getting it right and leaving no stone unturned.”
Detective Jubelin said he was grateful that the family had allowed him to work with them in their battle for justice, which they had pursued in a very dignified manner.
“Clinton’s star burns so bright that so many people would turn up 25 years later. If he’s watching down now, the warrior in him would be proud of the way that his family is fighting for justice.”
Clinton’s brother David said the memorial was ideally positioned, next to the bush tucker garden their grandmother Lavinia inspired, and within sight of what used to be The Cliff where Clinton and his mates somersaulted into Tenterfield Creek, which was then much deeper.
“I can actually see him there doing it now,” aunt Dolly Jerome said.
Click below to see more photos of the ceremony.
