A PERMANENT memorial to hit-and-run victim Tim Anderson (26), of City Beach, will be unveiled at a sunset ceremony on Curtin Avenue in Mosman Park in November.
Mr Anderson’s father Ian said the memorial would be a place for quiet contemplation and to remember his son, who was knocked down nearby by convicted drunk driver Ross Murray (28) on March 8.
The site was a special place for the family because it was across the road from Mr Anderson’s primary school, Beehive Montessori.
“From the day Tim was born (his mother) Val would drop off his brothers at school and go down and walk with him in her arms along the beach in front,” Dr Anderson said.
Work is underway on a design for the memorial to replace the white bike placed near the crash after the tragedy before cyclists participate in a commemorative Tim’s Ride later this year.
Murray was sentenced to five years and three months behind bars last Tuesday. He will be eligible for parole after three years and could be driving again after a further four.
Police Minister Liza Harvey agreed to meet with the Anderson family to discuss changes to drink driving legislation after Dr Anderson called on the State Government to introduce tougher driving penalties.
“It is unbelievable that someone who does something like this just has their licence suspended and they get it back automatically at the end of it,” Dr Anderson said.
“If you lose your licence for a serious reason you should have to go and be retested and prove that you’ve changed.
“Then you should have to be on P-plates forever because the community says you can’t be trusted.”
Tim’s Ride to promote bike safety will finish at the memorial before it is unveiled on November 10.
It will be the first time Mr Anderson’s family, including his mother and two brothers, will ride together since they lost their son and sibling.
Visit www.timsride.com.au.