Australian mother whose son was beaten to death with cricket bat by father reveals devastation: “I am no longer a mum”

A heartbroken mother has spoken of her grief at the loss of her 11-year-old son, who was brutally murdered by his father Greg Anderson in February.

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by Jessica Anais Rach |
Published on

Luke Batty was attending cricket practice in Melbourne, when his father attacked him with a cricket bat and knife, wounding him fatally.

The incident happened in front of his mother Rosy Batty, and other horrified children.

Rosy has now spoken of the anger she felt, after being told she will 'always be a mum'.

"I'm not a bloody mother anymore. I have a memory but I'm not.

"I have to rebuild a life with some direction and meaning because I'm not a mother anymore and all the things I did with Luke, either for him, or with him or because of him, it's all gone."

Since Luke's tragic murder this year, Rosie has used the media spotlight to campaign against family violence.

Rosie had sought help, after Luke's father- who was fatally shot by police following the attack this year, assaulted her in 2012, as well as threatening to kill her and chop off her foot last year.

Consequently Greg was only allowed to see his son during football and cricket training, where the fatal attack took place.

Friends laying flowers at the scene of the murder in February
Friends laying flowers at the scene of the murder in February

Speaking about her campaign against domestic violence, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said Rosie didn't want Luke's death to be wasted.

'She has put this very much on the community's agenda and all power to her for doing so. This system sometimes moves very slowly but I have no doubt at all that her courage and willingness to speak out will put us in a far better place,' he said.

The Victorian Government announced an additional $30 million to tackle family violence last week, which Mr Lay attributes to the 'Rosie Batty factor'.

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