Michelle Williams has been remembered as the bubbly, energetic driving force behind the anti-violence events held locally.
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The 34-year-old died in a car accident on Elsmore Road at Inverell on Tuesday morning.
The community health employee, originally from Tullamore in the Central West, was secretary of the Inverell Anti-Violence Committee.
Shire councillor Paul King paid tribute to her, recalling the role Ms Williams played in increasing the awareness of White Ribbon Day, which is held to spread the anti-violence message.
“She was the type of person who could make a committee work,” Cr King said.
“Anti-violence and White Ribbon are things that are crying out in all communities. It affects us all, and I’m very saddened to see Michelle had passed away.
She was very young with a very bright future in front of her. She was always so unassuming and never looked for any credit herself, ever. And that’s something that’s very hard to find.”
- Inverell Shire councillor Paul King
“She was very young with a very bright future in front of her.
“She was always so unassuming and never looked for any credit herself, ever. And that’s something that’s very hard to find.”
He said Michelle joined the anti-violence committee about six or seven years ago.
“From that time on, she was very much a livewire, and she raised the bar and was probably the main person for instigating the White Ribbon events in Inverell,” Cr King said.
“She played a very dynamic part in the anti-violence committee for many years and she was very passionate about it, and energetic.
“She will be sorely missed by the Inverell community.”
The March Against Violence, held annually in November has grown each year, with hundreds marching in the streets.
Ms Williams was often on the front lines of district domestic violence in her role as a child protection worker, but had a wider perspective on the statistics of domestic assault in Inverell shire.
Last year, she told The Inverell Times that domestic violence was prevalent in nearly every referral she saw.
Mayor Paul Harmon also worked closely with her on domestic violence prevention and said she had been instrumental in lifting the profile of the White Ribbon march.
It is always so tragic when someone passes away. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, close friends and colleagues.
- Inverell mayor Paul Harmon
“It is always so tragic when someone passes away,” Cr Harmon said.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with her family, close friends and colleagues.”
Investigations continue into the crash. New England Chief Inspector Rowan O’Brien said an oncoming motorist witnessed the accident.
“At this stage the circumstances surrounding the crash are not completely known,” he said.
A report will now be prepared for the coroner.
