It’s the anniversary of a tragedy that rocked the nation, but now the parents of the children lost during the Oatlands crash want the date to be remembered for a new reason.
On this day last year, 13-year-old Antony Abdallah and his siblings 12-year-old Angelina, nine-year-old Sienna and cousin, 11-year-old Veronique Sakr tragically lost their lives when a drunk driver lost control, mounting a footpath where they were walking on their way to get an ice-cream.
The pain that followed such a tragedy was indescribable for the families, but despite the grief caused, they have launched ‘i4give Day’ to celebrate forgiveness and to commemorate the young lives lost.
I4give Day was officially launched by the families at a ceremony in Sydney yesterday and is to be held each year of the anniversary of the incident.
At the ceremony Prime Minister Scott Morrison and NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian released four white doves and some butterflies in memory of the children.
Mother, Leila Abdallah said her family are devout Maronite Catholics and credit God and the act of forgiveness for helping them through the grieving process.
“We chose to turn our tragedy into a greater goodness; we chose to carry our cross with dignity; we chose forgiveness and love over hatred,” she said at the ceremony.
“Forgiveness is the greatest gift you can give yourself and to others.”
The driver, 30-year-old Samuel Davidson, has pleaded guilty to four charges of manslaughter, as well as other offences including ‘dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm’.
Court documents have revealed he was under the influence of cocaine, MDMA and had a blood-alcohol level three times the legal limit.
City of Parramatta Council Lord Mayor, Bob Dwyer paid tribute to the families of the four children killed.
“It’s been one year since four innocent lives were lost in one of the most tragic road incidents this country has seen, but the impact on the family and community is no less profound,” he said.
“The Abdallah and Sakr families have shown such enormous strength over the past 12 months. To have the fortitude to launch a day of forgiveness – i4Give Day – in honour of their children Antony, Angelina, Sienna and Veronique, is inspiring, and I hope that it helps others reflect and heal from their own experiences of grief.
“Today, on the anniversary of the tragedy, I join the community in offering my continued prayers and support for the Abdallah and Sakr families.
“City of Parramatta Council has been working closely with the families to explore an appropriate way to commemorate their children’s lives within the local area.
Design options for a permanent memorial are being developed in consultation with the families.
It is anticipated that Council will consider memorial options at a meeting in early 2021.
Visit i4give.com for resources or to donate.
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.