By Tate Papworth
A tribute tree in the heart of Sunshine has a colourful new look for the winter and an important message to share.
The Sunshine Business Association and CommuKNITy, a knitter group, have teamed up to redecorate or “yarn bomb” the tree on the corner of Hampshire and Devonshire roads.
The tree was planted following the murder of mother-of-four Fiona Warzywoda at the hands of her former defacto partner, Craig McDermott, in 2014.
Ms Warzywoda had just finalised an intervention order against McDermott when she was stabbed six times in the middle of the busy Sunshine shopping strip. McDermott was sentenced to 25 years in jail for her murder.
The tribute tree has become a place for reflection and commemorative vigils.
Sunshine Business Association president Carson Luk said he hoped the tree’s new outfit would help end the scourge of violence against women.
“We want to show and educate the community that it is unacceptable for any form of violence in the family or against women,”
Mr Luk said.
“Violence against women is at epidemic proportions. Devastatingly, over 12 months, on average, one woman is killed every week in Australia as a result of intimate partner violence.”
CommuKNITy spokesperson Annie Bailey said it was the fourth year the group had decorated the tree.
“We redecorate Fiona’s tree every year and feel strongly about tackling family violence,” she said.
