SEEKING ANSWERS: BOWRAVILLE’S UNSOLVED MURDERS

21 November, 2011

SEEKING ANSWERS: BOWRAVILLE'S UNSOLVED MURDERS

Monday, November 21, 2011

The New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council will assist a 25-strong Aboriginal delegation from Bowraville on the state's north coast in presenting a petition to Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner on Thursday morning at 10:00am.

The petition calls for the NSW Parliament and the Attorney General to address a number of questions from the community in relation to one of the state's most notorious unsolved serial murders.

16-year-old Colleen Walker-Craig, Evelyn Greenup and Clinton Speedy-Duroux, also 16, were murdered in 1990 in the mission community of Bowraville.

Despite several trials and a coroner's inquest, no person has been convicted of the crimes to date.

Chairman of the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC), Stephen Ryan said the patience of Bowraville's Aboriginal community is wearing thin.

"It's such a tragedy, and I sympathise with the community of Bowraville.

"They've suffered a horrendous loss, and two decades on, they're yet to see justice prevail," he said.

"Members of the victim's families are understandably disillusioned with the justice system, and feel their voices must be heard on Thursday.

"To that end I, along with the NSWALC board, support their push to present this petition and re-gain some traction with this case."

Councillor for the Mid North Coast, Peter Smith agreed the Bowraville community deserves answers.

"I recently met with the families of the victims and I can tell you they're a resilient bunch," Mr Smith said.

"These crimes are an enduring source of pain and bitterness for them and the broader community of 'Bowra'.

"I can only trust the Deputy Premier will receive this petition in good will and do all in his power to deliver the answers these families have waited decades for."

A delegation representing the victim's families and other community members will present the petition to Deputy Premier Andrew Stoner out the front of the Parliament of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney at 10:00am on Thursday November 24.

NSWALC media contact: Chris Munro 0438 760 242

Family spokesperson: Leonie Duroux 0429 312 436

Acknowledgement

We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of the lands where we work as well as across the lands we travel through. We also acknowledge our Elders past, present and emerging.

Artwork Credit: Craig Cromelin, from a painting he did titled, "4 favourite fishing holes". It is a snippet of his growing years on the Lachlan River, featuring yabby, turtle, fish and family.

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