BLOG RECAP: Vigils held across WA for 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji boy Cassius Turvey after his alleged murder

The candlelight vigil came to a close with a powerful Māori Haka inside a sand art circle on the oval.

It was a tribute to Cassius and a message of unity among Indigenous cultures.

Afterwards, Mechelle Turvey sat in the circle surrounded by family as attendees came to say goodbye and send love to her family.

Thank you for joining us tonight as we covered the vigils held in Midland and Geraldton.

A testimony was read during the Geraldton vigil from Cassius’ mother Mechelle:

“I don’t want any more violence, I am the only person who can get justice for my son...I don’t want any form of violence, at any of these rallies in the name of my child.”

“Cassius was liked and loved by so many people on first contact, ranging with kids of similar age groups to teachers, everywhere. There was no reason for anyone not to like him.”

“He was the heart and soul of the community.”

The Turvey family was invited on stage where Cassius’ mum Mechelle gave a speech in honour of her boy.

She was In awe of the crowd gathered to support her loving family.

Ms Turvey said her son was given the “strongest” name by his big brother after Cassius Clay aka Muhammad Ali.

“And I thank you for coming out here tonight. I’d like to thank all the organizers, everyone that was on this stage and on this grass dancing.”

“15 Forever. Justice for Cassius. And I just want to put this message out stronger, stronger and stronger. All Kids Matter.”

“Black, white, brown, pink, yellow, it doesn’t matter. We are all the same. We are all one people on this planet.”

Cassius’ two young nieces sing, Dancing in the Sky as his family huddles together with their arms wrapped around each other at Midland Oval.

“Hope you are dancing in the sky and singing in the angels’ choir. Hope the angels know what they have,” they sang.

“Nice up in heaven since you arrived.”

The crowd held their candles, phones and torches up to the sky as they sang.

The crowd at Midland Oval has made space for a group of young dancers, including three little girls and four boys.

They did a series of traditional dancing and singing to “bring our culture back”.

Heartfelt notes have been strung from trees at Midland Oval in memory of Cassius.

“Cassius will be forever young in our memories. A dreadful tragedy,” wrote Fiona Stanley.

“Forever young. R.I.P beautiful angel,” another note read.

Ray Dann knew Cassius Turvey’s father when they lived in the same suburb in Perth.

“They were all great people,” he said.

“Everytime I run into them we always had a yarn.”

Mr Dann said he worked with children, and it was horrible to hear that any child gets hurt.

“Emotionally, it just gets to me. I’m an emotional person, and when it comes to kids.”

“Not being able to see the family, it’s very important to be here. It’s just to show I’m thinking about them fellas down in Perth.”

Mr Dann said he was proud of his grandchildren who held the signs during the vigil.

“The little ones they carried the signs, and when I saw them standing up here, I thought I had to stand with them,” he said.

Dann said he was so proud of his grandchildren that he had to stand with them.

Halloween was Cassius’ favourite day of the year, so Mr Dann’s grandchildren dressed in their costumes. Chocolate and lollies were handed out with the candles in loving memory of Cassius.

At a vigil at the Mitchell St Community Centre in Geraldton, Cassius’ cousin Darin Turvey shared fond memories of the 15-year-old taken too soon.

Cassius was Darin’s youngest second cousin. He said he’d met Cassius a few times, and he was always hip-to-hip with his father.

“They were very close,” he said.

“It was absolutely shocking, especially knowing what happened. When you have children yourself, I’ve been thinking about them,” he said.

Mr Turvey said he worried about his grandchildren.

“It’s good to see so many multicultured people getting together because we all have that feeling for our children and for all kids in general.”