Toddler rape hits Tennant residents
THREE former prime ministers were among a long list of dignitaries who gathered in Sydney to remember rugby great Sir Nicholas Shehadie as someone always destined to be “a giant of a man”.
John Howard, Paul Keating and Bob Hawke were among hundreds who descended on St James’ Church yesterday for a service that spilt out on to the street.
Also at the state funeral was Wallabies coach Michael Cheika as well as governorsgeneral past and present.
An impressive rollcall of former NSW premiers of all political persuasions included Mike Baird, Kristina Keneally, Nick Greiner, John Fahey, Morris Iemma, Barry O’Farrell and Barrie Unsworth as well as current Premier Gladys Berejikilian. Defence Minister Mi i t M Marise i P Payne represented Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull who is overseas.
The former Wallabies captain, former Sydney lord mayor and husband of former NSW governor Dame Marie Bashir was remembered as a loving father and husband after he died last week, aged 92.
His son Michael said his father was a giant in stature and character. He said his father treated everyone he met with respect no matter their position.
On the sports field, Sir Nicholas started his career as a lock with Randwick and then NSW, before shifting to the front row where he was lauded as one of the world’s best.
Playing in the years of long tours, he earned 114 caps for the Wallabies between 1947- 58, which included 30 Tests. AS A 24- year- old man waited to be flown out of Tennant Creek after being accused of raping a two- year- old relative, acting Chief Minister Nicole Manison and Police Commissioner Reece Kershaw flew in to try to calm an angry town.
They are angry at the Government for its perceived failings to respond to childprotection orders, the police for being unresponsive, but also at themselves for the violent and alcohol- drenched environment that has seen them failing to care for children.
The alleged attacker appeared in court on Tuesday by video- link and did not apply for bail. Charged with unlawful sexual intercourse aggravated by the child’s age, he showed signs of having been beaten.
His relationship to the child is very close and it appeared he had met some payback.
At a town meeting at Peko Park, dozens of people got up to deliver harsh assessments of their own shortcomings in the wake of a recent killing, a number of suicides and the rape.
The two- year- old girl was earlier yesterday released from hospital in Adelaide into the care of her mother, under the watch of South Australian child support workers.
The child’s father is now serving time in Alice Springs over a DV- related incident and was not at home when the child was allegedly raped.
One man who identifies as the child’s grandfather said the community had been torn apart by what happened.
Commissioner Kershaw gave few details on the case, saying it was before the courts. But he said: “This town has a problem with sexual assault on children.”
The man has been remanded to appear on May 3.