Hundreds gathered in Clyde North on Sunday evening to remember Brooke Stephens, a 29-year-old mother of two allegedly murdered in her own home seven days earlier, as her death spotlights questions about state government service delivery and the criminal justice system's handling of domestic violence cases.
Ms Stephens died after her partner allegedly attacked her inside their Clyde North home on July 26. Jorden Turney, 32, has been charged with her murder and will face a committal hearing in November.
A Family Shattered
The candlelight vigil was held as the sun set, with candles lit and passed among attendees before a minute's silence. Kelly-Ann Faulkner, a family member, said the majority of the family were still in shock. "It's really shaken the whole, entire family," she said. "She has two beautiful little boys that have been devastated by this horrific incident."
Ms Faulkner said the two boys had lost their best friend. "Her sons are in the worst place you could possibly ever think of," she said. "They won't get to grow up with their mum; they'll go to bed every night wondering where their mum is."
Another family member, Lachlan Timmins, fought through tears as he remembered Brooke as a "beautiful, loving sister." He said, "A good role model to those kids."
Vigil organiser Em Ross said the event was being held to honour Ms Stephens' memory. "We are here to acknowledge the life she lived, the people who loved her, and the devastating loss being felt by her family, her friends and the wider community," Ms Ross said. "To Brooke's family and loved ones, we extend our deepest condolences. We cannot begin to understand the weight of your grief, but we hope tonight shows that you are not alone."
She also said, "May each candle represent our collective love, our sorrow and our commitment to creating a safer community." When the 500 candles prepared for the vigil were all taken, people began lighting their mobile phones and shining them into the darkness in support, illuminating the winter night.
Government Service Gaps Under Fire
Family violence campaigner Sherele Moody from Australian Femicide Watch attended the vigil and called out the state government for perceived inaction on violence against women. "Victoria has got the highest femicide toll in Australia this year," she said.
Ms Moody described domestic and family violence as "a continuing epidemic in this country." She said she was being contacted by women in Victoria "every day" who told her they were unable to access support services after experiencing violence.
"We're not even remotely near where we should be to end violence against women and children in this country," she said. "It's on the state governments to step up and deliver proper fully-funded support services."
Why This Matters:
Brooke Stephens' death raises fundamental questions about whether Victoria's government is delivering the services it's funded to provide. When women report they can't access support services after experiencing violence, it suggests a failure of basic state responsibility and taxpayer accountability. Victoria's position as having the highest femicide toll in Australia this year demands scrutiny of how existing resources are allocated and whether current programs are achieving measurable results. The criminal justice system will now process Turney's case through the courts, but the broader challenge is ensuring government-funded support infrastructure actually functions when families need it most. Two young boys have lost their mother, and the community's response suggests citizens expect their state government to demonstrate concrete improvements in service delivery, not just rhetoric.