Calls for community unity at Katanning vigil for Cassius Turvey

A vigil for Perth teenager Cassius Turvey was held on Monday in Katanning’s town square with more than 100 community members in attendance. Cassius, 15, was allegedly bashed with a metal pole while walking home from school with friends in Perth on October 13. Jack Steven James Brearley, 21, has been charged with his murder, with police alleging he chased and attacked Cassius, leaving him with head injuries. He died 10 days later. Cassius’ devastated friends say they were wrongly accused of damaging Mr Brearley’s car and subjected to verbal abuse moments before the attack. The Katanning community came together to honour the teenager who was described by his friends as an “old soul” and the “sharp” one they went to for advice.. At the age of 13, he started a pay-what-you-can lawnmowing business with his friends called Lawnmower Boys, with a Facebook page describing them as “teens wanting to be active in our community in our spare time”. Members of the Katanning Noongar community spoke to honour the memory of Cassius, calling for the community to come together to protect youth. Katanning elder Gabriel Hansen spoke about the importance of different cultures and communities getting to know each other and building strong friendships. She reflected on her own positive experiences with connecting and sharing her culture with others, saying people should not be “afraid to ask us questions”. “If you don’t ask, you’ll never know,” she said. Event organiser Jolene Sylva read a statement from Cassius’ mother, Mechelle Turvey, which denounced violence and called for investment in youth support. Speaking to the Herald after the vigil, Ms Sylva said the community needed to unite to show children the way forward and stop the violence. “Stand up, speak up. If you see something, say something, do something. Be the change,” she said. “It takes a whole community to stand together to make change and this is what this is all about — ask the questions, build relationships and connect with all cultures.”