Jac’s Legacy

17/08/2026

The past few weeks have been major I need my mum moments. Is it because I’m experiencing life changes or is it my birthday fast approaching?

The thing with grief is you can never pinpoint what will set you off into the emotional spiral. Life changes and the world keeps turning and all I want is to pick up that phone and tell you everything happening in our lives. Knowing I’ll never receive another embarrassing happy birthday post, the long message, home cooked dinner and of course the homemade cake (if it didn’t get thrown out the window cause you had to be a perfectionist) 😅 or is it the impending appeal we are yet to hear any information on and it’s been 5 months since the last appearance relating to it.

My siblings and I were robbed. The last birthday I spent with mum resulted in her getting punched in the nose because we went out for lunch, then followed by a phone call to triple 000 to see if police could do a welfare check. Yet another milestone James’s actions ruined.

I’ll find my feet again I know, we miss you terribly mum. Every single day. 💜

23/07/2026

This is Pauline’s attempt to validate what she said.

As someone who lost their loved one to domestic violence this is what I have to say.

My mum was murdered doing what Pauline insists women should do. My mum was leaving her abuser at the exact time of her murder, walking the long gravel driveway after several attempts at gaining a ride home or even a cab. Pauline is implying that leaving is simple, leaving is easy. This is coming from her personal experience of leaving. I would like to acknowledge her lived experience and commend her for making it out on the other side. But at the same time I would like to ask how could you show no empathy for those who are living what you did?

I have met many amazing women over the last few years, each sharing their own experiences but one thing remains the same, “Why don’t you just leave” when are we going to start asking abusers “why do you feel the need to abuse your partner?” Stop making it the victims problem.

The only thing I can applaud you on is the recognition that men can in fact be victims too.

Disgusted. My heart hurts for victims and victim survivors right now 💜

02/07/2026

One year ago today on my brothers 15th Birthday we sat in the Supreme Court of Tasmania as James Kenneth Austin was sentenced for the murder of our mum Jacqui. Or Manslaughter as our justice system would prefer I say.

After what felt like hours, relieving the 13th of March all over again, hearing the events of that night/early hours of the morning, having to watch both James and his family shake their head in disbelief as the judge said “Your actions were cold blooded and callous” after hearing every single injury our mum suffered. Every single memory flooding back and the feeling of your heart being in your throat as you wait for the judge to give his decision. “I sentence you to 13 year’s imprisonment backdated to the day of your arrest, you are required to serve 8 years of this sentence before being eligible for parole. You will also be disqualified from driving for 10 years from the day of your release.”

James Austin is able to apply for parole in 2031.
Our mum is gone forever. Why should he get to come home to his family?

We miss you mum, we will never stop fighting. 💜

20/06/2026

Happy heavenly 41st birthday to our mum Jacqui.

The woman who raised four children alone, battled through abuse and still got up and showed up. Our superhero and the one we miss the most.

Today is all about you, the life you lived and all the years you should’ve still had. I will forever wonder what our conversations would look like now. Until then I’ll hold you close and patiently wait until the day I can tell you everything.

Wherever you are mum we hope your at peace and have found all the love the world never showed you. May the redbulls be cold and choccie cake as sickening as can be. We love you mum💜

Happy birthday, Ride on cowgirl 🫶🏻

19/06/2026

For the past 3 years this very road has haunted me in my dreams. Hearing or seeing about this road would instantly bring a sick feeling to my gut and years of memories flooding back.

Today an opportunity led me back, back to where the horrors began and to the place my mum took her final breath.

My feelings are a little odd, I don’t know what I expected but mum I felt you.

My mum ran down this very road long before her death, with James Austin driving his car chasing her swerving left and right, Mums jeans tore as she fled up a bank and jumped a barbed wire fence to safety.

March 2023 James yet again chases her with his car, this time he succeeded in running her down. Charged with murder then later downgraded to manslaughter. 8 years behind bars. 10 years disqualified from driving on day of release.

Guy Barnett make this make sense?

Motor vehicles are weapons, how many more cases are needed to prove this? How many more people need to be injured/killed before this is recognised?

https://www.change.org/JacquisLaw

17/05/2026

On Friday night I had the privilege to attend the women’s legal service - Justice for her, Dinner for change. I had the honour to be on a panel with two very incredible people, talk about my mum and a little on her story and the campaign launch Jacqui’s Law.

The conversations that flowed after our segment was amazing, The absolute love and support for Jacqui’s Law and how so many people could see how clearly this is needed to protect women who’s abuser uses their car to threaten or intimidate them.

My mum means the world to me and even in her death she continues to be my inspiration and push forward when I need it most. She should still be here today…Because of her we will get a Jacqui’s Law. Her story will be the reason cars are treated with the same severity level as a firearm. This is just the beginning of my push, I won’t accept anything less then what I am asking for.

Mum keep being my guiding light- know I am doing everything down here to keep your memory alive. You are the reason I do what I do💜🫶🏻

Thank you Carolyn for the opportunity to have been at this wonderful event 💐

❤️SIGN THE PETITION: https://www.change.org/JacquisLaw

❤️LISTEN TO JACQUI'S STORY: The She Matters podcast is on all podcast platforms

❤️READ JACQUI'S STORY: https://tinyurl.com/4xmn27xm

05/05/2026

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I find myself remembering each and every Mother’s Day I did get with you. The excitement in school as each hand made gift was wrapped and walking home with what felt like the worlds biggest secret in my back pack, hoping and wishing on every star that my gift would show you just how much you meant to me. I would give anything in this world to have one more Mother’s Day with you 💜

23/04/2026

Check out our online raffle, some incredible prizes to be won 🫶🏻

Our online Raffle is now live!
We are raising extra funds for our upcoming Butterflies and Boots Nurturing afternoon and Gala Ball. The prizes are aswesome and are for a great cause! Total value is over $6,000.
Scan the QR code to find out more, to enter and buy tickets.
Please support our cause.
If we rasie more money than we need for the ball, ectra fubnds will go towards establishing new peer connect support group0s for women impacted by DFSVA and our Travelling Exhibition project.
Please share 🥰🥰

17/04/2026

We will be at newnorfolk market today!

Brave the cold and come have a chat and hear more about our projects 💜

We are excited to be visiting New Norfolk Market on Saturday. We have a stall site and hope to get some feedback for a potential surviving to thriving peer connect group for women who have experienced abuse that we are hoping to set up in the Derwent Valley.
And of course promoting our upcoming
We have a raffle organised with a great prize bundle including vouchers from Southern Automotive in Glenorchy for car services.
Nicki, Kira, Leesah and Amiah look forwrad to meeting you!
Oh and we have bubbles and Leesah is dressing up! 🦋🦋🦋🦋

10/04/2026

Voting has now opened for the 2026 people’s choice awards! Through the Tasmanian young achievers awards, I am super honoured to be a finalist in this years courage to grow award💜

Voting is allowed once per day until May 4th 🫶🏻