The third Sunday in November is International World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and was hosted by the Road Trauma Support Service of WA and Injury Management. We were invited to attend a function today at the Fremantle Sailing Club in honour and remembrance of Kyle.

We had an absolutely beautiful “Welcome to Country” by Shaun Nannup – possibly the best I have ever experienced (and in my 17 years in Public Service I have seen quite a few). Other inspiring speakers were the Minister for Police and Road Safety, Michelle Roberts and the Chaplain at Princess Margaret Children’s Hospital, Janet Augustinsen.

But perhaps the most moving speech was from 22 year old Lauren Jackson about losing her 18 year old younger brother, Connor, her only sibling. She was overseas on holiday when she got the news, just like we were, and her tale echoed within my heart both as a Mother, and in relation to the impact on my own daughter, Christina in losing Kyle.

Whilst it was an emotional day, and I did shed some tears here and there, overall it was a wonderful experience, much more in keeping for us than last years Church service. At the morning tea afterwards I also got to speak directly with the Minister, an opportunity I wasn’t going to waste – I put to her my specific concerns about the demographic of young males and fast motorbikes, and the need for “point of sale” to hold some culpability is selling big bikes (Kyle’s was a 1690cc on a Learners Permit) to those not licensed for them. She was receptive and we talked through the pros and cons, and she undertook to do some follow up with Police and tools they have at their disposal to monitor vehicle registration against licence endorsement. Whilst I thanked her for this, I again hammered my concerns about “point of sale” – likening it to handing a loaded gun to a child and hoping things won’t go wrong. She pondered it carefully and I think I planted a seed. I hope so. It’s been something I’ve wanted to get off my chest and into the right ear for some time now. It’s too late for Kyle, but maybe, just maybe, it might stop another Mother, Sister and family having to go through this terrible pain and loss.

The Media was also there, and it will be shown on both the Channel 7 and Channel 9 news tonight.

We miss you so much Kyle and wish you were here, love always and forever, Mum xxx