Allison Baden-Clay’s two eldest daughters have helped ensure her memory lives on, as they made their first public appearance to honour her – by handing out an award in her name.
Sarah, 14, and sister Hannah, 16, were joined by more of their family as they awarded a $5,000 ballet scholarship to winner Taji Hennessy at the Queensland Ballet Dance Academy on Saturday.
Appearing alongside their grandparents, Geoff and Priscilla Dickie, and aunt Vanessa Fowler, they looked relaxed and happy as they all posed for photos together.
Vanessa spoke warmly of her late sister, ABC News reports, and shared her pride in the “lasting legacy” she has left behind.
“Today is an exciting day as we see my sister and her legacy live on,” Ms Fowler said. “She’s assisting a young dancer to pursue her dream and strive to the best that she can be.”
“Allison was born to dance and excelled at it by the age of four,” she added. “She had that spark, that bright smile, and the soft arms and pointed feet and she filled the stage.
“Allison was the ever feminine ballet dancer with spirited stage presence.”
She revealed Allison’s daughter Hannah has followed in her mum’s footsteps, performing lead roles in many studio ballet performances, and Vanessa said their mother “lives on” through them.
In 2012 Allison was reported missing by her husband Gerard Baden-Clay. Her body was found 10 days later, under a bridge.
Gerard Baden-Clay is serving a life sentence for Allison’s murder with a non-parole period of 15 years.
Taking a stream of photos from the event, before sharing them on her social media pages, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk applauded the award.
“I announced the scholarship in July, on Strive to be Kind day, the annual day held by the Allison Baden-Clay Foundation, to commemorate Allison and to raise awareness of domestic and family violence and the need for respectful relationships,” she explained, according to 7News.