Young Victorian Luke Batty would have been “chuffed” about the celebrity cricket match held in his honour, his mother says.
Hundreds turned out under sunny skies on Sunday to honour the 11-year-old boy at the Tyabb oval where he lost his life.
His father, Greg Anderson, killed his son after cricket training on February 12, before being shot dead by police.
Luke’s former cricket mates and classmates were among those who gathered at the ground on Sunday, alongside a celebrity line-up including professional cricketers, footballers and television stars.
His mother, Rosie Batty, said he would have been delighted by the event.
“If he could say anything, he would just be so chuffed,” she told the Nine Network.
Members of the Tyabb junior cricket team formed a guard of honour as the celebrity players made their way on to the pitch for the fundraiser.
Ms Batty later told reporters that people in the community felt each other’s pain.
“Everybody wants to be here for each other,” she said.
Cricket Victoria spokesman Dylan Atkinson said the aim of the event was to encourage locals to return to the ground.
“The idea was to get the community back to the Tyabb Reserve … and create some positive experiences given what’s happened,” he said.
The celebrity line-up included Australian Test cricketers Matthew Wade and Bryce McGain, Essendon AFL players Michael Hurley and Michael Hibberd, actors Rhys Muldoon and Gary Sweet, and comedian Peter Helliar.
Money raised from the event will be used to rebuild cricket nets, which were demolished last week, upgrade facilities and build a memorial for Luke.
