Cassius Turvey: Collingwood Football Club donate to fundraising campaign, pay tribute to teenager

More than half-a-million dollars has now been raised in honour of Cassius Turvey as the shockwaves of his death reach the AFL, with Collingwood Football Club paying tribute to the footy-loving teenager.

In the week since the GoFundMe fundraiser was launched, more than 12,000 people have donated to the campaign, which family of the 15-year-old say will go towards giving back to the community in a way that means his name will live on.

Collingwood Football Club on Monday donated $5000 to the cause and released a short statement on social media, saying “our thoughts remain with the Turvey family, friends and the wider Noongar community”.

“Collingwood stands firmly alongside all First Nations people across the country,” the club said.

A picture of former player Andrew Krakouer accompanied the statement, which said: “My love, thoughts and prayers go out to Cassius, his family and loved ones.”

“Rest easy in the Dreamtime, Cassius Turvey,” he said.

Cassius was part of the Swan Districts Football Club’s Elevate Program, with the club last week describing the teen as always “showing enormous kindness and empathy that put smiles on many faces”.

The club shared a recent drawing by Cassius, in which he shared what was valued most to him in life.

Poignantly, he drew his family, himself playing basketball, Nike shoes, school, money, art and an Aboriginal flag.

“His death was unnecessary, and he’s been robbed of successes in whichever path he chose in life,” the club said.

“Senseless violence has no place in a fair, just, and inclusive world.”

It comes as Cassius’ family prepare to attend a candlelight vigil on Monday night at Midland Oval, chosen because Halloween was his favourite night of the year.

Attendees have been encouraged to wear their best scary costumes in the teen’s honour.

A petition titled “Justice for Cassius Turvey” has also been launched on Monday morning, already receiving more than 2000 signatures.

Cassius’ mother Mechelle Turvey is quoted on the petition criticising police for not taking a “complete statement” about the attack before his death 10 days later.

Police Minister Paul Papalia on Monday confirmed Police Commissioner Col Blanch had met with Ms Turvey recently to discuss the case.

Asked to respond to concerns from Indigenous parents who are feeling anxious about having their kids out in the community in the wake of Cassius’ death, Mr Papalia said they should be assured that “you are safe and police would care for everyone in our community”.

“With respect to the Turvey family, there is a family liaison officer and police are very good at wrapping around families who are victims of crimes of this nature,” he said.

Mr Papalia was also asked about Mr Blanch’s comments in a radio interview in which he said Cassius was in the “wrong place at the wrong time”.

“That was a poor choice of words but the Commissioner has made it very clear that he has incredible sympathy and cares deeply about what has happened,” he said.

“No one in authority should be commenting about the investigation or the matters involved in the investigation of this case because it could jeopardise justice for Cassius. That is a fact.”

Police allege Cassius was murdered by 21-year-old Jack Brearley, who is accused of pursuing the teenager and his friends and bashing him with a metal pole, believed to be a shopping trolley handle, in Middle Swan on October 13.

He is also accused of bashing one of Cassius’ friends, 13-year-old Tristan Collard, and stealing his crutches and baseball cap.

It has been alleged racial slurs were directed at the boys and that they had been wrongly accused of damaging Mr Brearley’s car a day earlier.

On the petition, Ms Turvey also expressed her desire for children to be educated about dealing with violence in the community.

“In and out of schools, youth violence has escalated,” she said.

“We must reduce this and evidence gathering by other children, who are too frightened to intervene, not delay calling authorities. Children should be educated to contact teachers and authorities immediately.”

Ms Turvey added she wanted to create a “kids matters” program that “instils empowerment in my Midland community”.

“We want these kids matters programs to begin in Midland where a significant proportion of the population are Indigenous, which will hopefully spread across the country at pace for lost and troubled young souls,” she said.

“They need mentors to do the journey with them.”

As well as a candlelight vigil, rallies are being held across the country and internationally on Wednesday.