Tony Ticehurst had always hoped his daughter Molly would change the world — but not at this cost.
The devastated father led tributes as hundreds of mourners gathered to remember the 28-year-old mother and childcare worker, 10 days after her alleged domestic violence murder in the NSW central west.
Her death in Forbes has intensified a growing national movement against gendered violence but her family want to remember the happy memories she gave them.
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Tony Ticehurst told those gathered at the town’s rugby field, including locals, senior police and Premier Chris Minns, how local children would often approach his daughter on the street, saying “look mum and dad! It’s Molly.”
“Molly didn’t have to leave us to grow her angel wings — they came with her as standard equipment,” Tony Ticehurst said, through tears.
“Every parent would like to see their child change the world, but not at this cost.”
Mourners also heard a message from Ticehurst’s young son.
“I will love you every day and night,” the message read. “You are the best mum in the world.”
A red hearse carrying her white casket was driven onto the oval, part of a roaring cavalcade of about 100 motorcycles led by Tony Ticehurst.
Bouquets of colourful balloons and bright flowers dot the oval in the centre of town and surrounding streets have fallen silent.
A small card handed out to the crowd shows a recent portrait of Ticehurst, along with a photograph of her as a curly-haired toddler.
“We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new,” the card reads.
“We thought about you yesterday and days before that too.
It goes on to say: “Your memory is our keepsake with which we’ll never part.
“God has you in his keeping, we have you in our heart.”
Porch light tribute
AC/DC songs blared over the club’s speakers, interspersed with gentle ballads.
The premier attended the service one day after the sudden death of his father, John Minns.
NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb and Police Minister Yasmin Catley were also in attendance.
Forbes, a town of 9000 people, has rallied around the Ticehurst family, with nearly $60,000 raised in a public fundraiser for her funeral.
Locals launched a campaign urging people across Australia to leave their front porch lights on throughout Wednesday night in her honour.
The town will also hold a “Molly Mattered” walk around Lake Forbes on Mother’s Day, with attendees asked to wear bright colours.
The event is described as a way for Forbes “to wrap their arms around each other in a show of support and say no to violence against women”.
Local state MP Philip Donato said Ticehurst’s death had touched everyone in the region.
“Molly was such a well-liked, well-known and highly-regarded young woman,” Donato said.
“Like all these central west communities, when we see there’s people really suffering, people go out of their way to support each other.
“That’s the fabric of the country … and we’ve seen that in Forbes.”
Ticehurst was also remembered at a series of rallies around Australia last weekend, along with many other women killed in acts of violence this year.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
In an emergency, call 000.
Advice and counselling for men concerned about their use of family violence: Men’s Referral Service, 1300 766 491.
