Arabic version: مسيرة في مورويل لتكريم كايدن مورغان-جونستون وضحايا العنف

According to ABC News, about 300 people walked along Morwell’s main street and gathered in a local park to condemn violence, one year after the alleged murder of 18-year-old Kaiden Morgan-Johnston. His mother, Sascha Johnston, organised the walk and brought together Latrobe Valley families who have lost loved ones to violence.

Mr Morgan-Johnston was allegedly murdered by two boys and a man about 500 metres from his home in Victoria’s east, hours after watching the AFL grand final with his mother. A proud Yorta Yorta, Wakka Wakka and Wurundjeri man living on Gunaikurnai country, he worked at Bunnings and danced with local Indigenous dance group Boorun Boys.

Ms Johnston told the crowd that the community wanted safe streets and that young people needed to learn there was “never ever the right time for a weapon”. She said her advocacy would continue in Kaiden’s name, arguing that teaching young people not to carry weapons was more important than relying on machete bins introduced by the Victorian government in the weeks before his death.

Families of Dr Ashley Gordon and Roy Poole also joined the march. Dr Gordon was murdered in 2024 by a teenager with a knife after he chased a group of boys who had broken into his home. Mr Poole was stabbed to death alongside friend Evan Rudd during an argument over a car park in Moe in 2011. Victoria Police Detective Inspector Matt Gleeson said police supported the rally, which he said raised awareness and supported efforts to stop violence in the community.