Cindy’s Acknowledgements

This horrific journey is not one I could have survived without the unconditional love of my husband Stephen, who promised me we would travel this painful path together.

Also, my heartfelt thanks to Megan Norris for keeping her promise to tell my story. We have shed many tears together and you have become a special part of our family and our journey.

Thanks also to my family, especially my parents Bob and Bev Gambino, who sat through every court hearing, through some impossibly painful evidence, while struggling with their own grief. And to my beautiful sister-in-law Kerryn, whose unwavering love and support as she attended court and cared for our younger children will never be forgotten. And to Stephen’s parents Lee and Barry, who have endured this dreadful roller-coaster ride with us, sharing my anguish and grief. Your lives, like mine, have been forever changed by this tragedy.

A special thanks to the Crown prosecution team who supported me through two trials, never once losing sight of the three little boys at the heart of this case. In particular, thank you to Andrew Tinney and Amanda Forrester for the sensitivity you showed to me; to Mark Pitcher at the Office of Public Prosecutions and to Detective Sergeant Gerard Clanchy from the Victoria Police Homicide Squad whose patience and empathy will never be forgotten.

My very special thanks to Anne O’Brien, my support worker from the Victorian Witness Assistance Service, for her kindness, generosity, straight talking and love. Anne, you made a painful, often confusing legal process more human and bearable. You will always be a friend.

Thank you my friend Angelique Stewart, whose own experience of loss and grief gave me perspective when I lacked it. And to Cass Van Galen who sadly experienced the loss of a child of her own in the midst of my journey. And my eternal gratitude to my best friend and former schoolfriend Sue McNaughton, my friend Vicky Riley, Chrissie Butler, whose support during the darkest times of my life will never be forgotten, and to Jenny Hogan, who has been like a second mum to me.

Thanks to Dr Singh and all the nurses at the Geelong Clinic for their ongoing care and patience on this never-ending journey. And our thanks to all the people in Winchelsea, a community I am proud to be part of.

Thank you to Greg and Mary King, whose own family have also been casualties of this tragedy; and to Reverend Jim Pilmer, the chaplain attached to the Victoria Police Homicide Squad, who performed our wedding ceremony.