Slow train coming
Slow Train Coming
In the last few months much has happened. The announcement that there will be a coronial inquiry into the death of Kirra McLoughlin was a highlight. What does this mean? Well, essentially it’s a trial. The coroner will hear evidence around the case and therefore make a determination as to how Kirra died. It’s a different burden of proof however. In the criminal court it’s ‘beyond a responsible doubt.’ Which means the prosecution needs sufficient evidence to convince a jury, beyond a reasonable doubt, that X killed Kirra. In coroners court however it’s on the balance of probabilities. So the coroner may determine that Kirra was killed by X, or died as a result of X, however that does not mean anyone will be charged.
I have just been to Canada on a family holiday. While I was away, the 5 year anniversary of Kirra’s death came and went. I had listened to another podcast about a similar incident. The mother of the victim explained how there is nothing worse then joining the club no one want’s to join. The club of parents who bury their children. She added to that by saying it’s even worse when you suspect they were killed in a violent, senseless manner and no one has been held accountable.
This resonated with me. I have not lost anyone in such a way, however I have a friend who has. I’ve seen the devastating effect it’s had on them. The anger and pain is unimaginable. Alison knows this all too well. Even if Kirra was not murdered, the fact remains: what happened? Why did she die? There are so many unanswered questions. 5 years on I’m sure Alison has thought of more questions and scenarios that haunt her dreams.
If I’m honest, there have been times where I questioned what I’m doing. “What did I get myself into?” As if life wasn’t already complicated enough, and just I’ve willingly jumped head first into a deep, dark and spiralling tunnel. A tunnel I wasn’t sure there was a light at the end of.
It’s a question I have been asked several times by people. “Why are you doing this and have you made any money?” I’ve thought a lot about this question and my answer. Our company name Six10 is derived from a QLD Police job code. The code for ‘Community Assistance’. Some would disagree with me on this, but I feel that this podcast is that, a community assistance. Our goal was to shed light on an unnoticed case, and to hopefully give some answers to a hurting family. The trolls and fake accounts on social media have only assured me we are on the right path. It was never going to be easy, and we have had our share of hurdles and hard times. The good however far out weights the bad. I recently got a message from someone who knows Alison and Kirra’s kids. He told me he hasn’t seen Alison smile, until recently. The message also said Alison told him we had changed her life through this. Hearing this makes it all worth while. To have a positive impact on someones life and make a difference is all I could have hoped for. I wouldn’t change this for anything and I’m thankful for this experience. Its not about money either. We haven’t made a single cent out of this podcast, and that’s ok.
Also, Why not? Why not seize the moment and take a chance? I’ve had this drive inside me to create something like this for ages. Fear and excuses have always held me back. What if I fail? Michael Jordan said “I’ve failed over and over again in my life and that is why I succeed.”
You won’t fail if you don’t try, but you won’t succeed if you don’t try either.
There is a light at the end of the tunnel, and BVR will be back shortly. In the meantime, get to work and achieve the impossible. No one else will make your dreams a reality, you have to put the work in. After all, If I can do it, so can you.
Jamie