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Australian of the Year, Rosie Batty has penned a heartfelt letter mourning the loss of her son, Luke one year after his death.
“I think of you from the moment I open my eyes until I lay my head back down on my pillow,”
Rosie said in her letter.
The Australian of the Year shared her letter through a statement to The Luke Batty Foundation.
One year ago, her 11-year-old son Luke was murdered by his father at a cricket training session in Melbourne.
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Rosie recounts the heart-wrenching day in her letter, saying that on the day he died, Luke was feeling lazy, playing video games and didn’t want to go to cricket practice.
“I did what a good mum does and made you follow through with your commitment to your cricket team as it was the last cricket practice for the season,” she wrote.
Rosie went on to say that Luke was “apprehensive” about seeing his father.
“When we arrived, we spotted your dad. He stood up with a huge smile and I knew it would be ok – he was in a good mood. It always made you happy to see your dad happy.”
Rosie then goes over the final moments she had with her little boy. Luke was enjoying cricket practice with his dad and asked if he could spend a few more minutes in the cricket nets with him. Then his father attacked Luke.
“I ran to get an ambulance – never to see you or speak to you again.”
Since Luke’s death, Rosie has become a passionate anti-family violence crusader. Through this horrific tragedy, her efforts have helped to trigger a royal commission into family violence and she has also been credited with saving the lives of family violence victims.
Throughout her constant campaigning, Luke is never far from Rosie’s thoughts.
“I think of you every moment of every day. I dream about you and wake knowing that the dream I had is not as bad as the reality of waking to find that you’re still gone and can never return.
“I miss you and still find it impossible to comprehend that I can never cuddle you and steal a kiss on your cheek whilst you’re asleep.
“The house is quiet, something is missing. It’s you.”
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has spoken out about the heartfelt tribute Rosie has paid to her son, saying his thoughts and prayers were with her and those who loved Luke at this “desperately sad time”.
“I think what we can all be proud of is that Rosie Batty has shown great courage, great character and has done so much to raise our awareness,” he said.
On Saturday the Tyabb Cricket Club, where Luke was killed, will hold a minute’s silence and players plan to wear armbands in Luke’s favourite colour, yellow.
You can read Rosie’s letter in full below.
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