Pledges of support from the state government and community were made at an emotional memorial dinner attended by 700 people at Blacktown Workers Club on February 2, 30 years exactly after the young nurse was brutally raped and murdered by five young men who are now serving life.
About another 700 had to be turned away from the dinner, indicating the great depth of feeling the community still has for the victim of one of Australia’s most horrific crimes.
At the dinner, Premier Mike Baird pledged $50,000 from the government, Blacktown Workers Club another $50,000 with Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali promising to donate land for the 12-room centre, to be called Grace’s Place, after Anita’s late mother.
Clr Bali, who did not think his fellow councillors would thwart his commitment, said the land would likely be in Doonside. Another $100,000 came from other attendees of the night.
Attending the dinner were Anita’s older sister Kathryn Szyszka and detectives who worked on the gruelling case.
With moving video displays, Anita was remembered for her kindness, beauty and “free spirit”.
“When people ask me what Anita was like, I say she’s a free spirit,” Kathryn Szyszka said.
“Nursing is not for the faint-hearted but she revelled in it and it gave her purpose. She really wanted to help people.”
Clr Bali remembers being horrified as a teenager when he heard about the murder.
“She was a beautiful young soul who was taken from us too soon and we want to keep her light shining forever,” he said.
Homicide Victims’ Support Group executive director Martha Jabour said the Grace’s Place project would cost $2.8 million and aimed for completion in September 2018; to mark the 25th anniversary of the start of the support group.
“We want the children at Grace’s Place to come back to life,” Ms Jabour said. “We want to show them there are good people and allow them to meet other children like them.”
Mr Baird said that “to turn something so wonderful out of a tragedy will make our state richer.”
