Sunday 26th October 2014 ... Karen Turner

Hi Geoff
I found this article in the Sydney Morning Herald that you might be interested in
"Mother of baby killed at Dee Why danger junction recalls her trauma"

Just another incident that makes me angry about the injustice of the law
I know this driver was speeding, but what is the difference ??
He killed someone speeding and gets four years behind bars and a manslaughter charge
Yet the driver of that ute kills Our Beloved Tanya and gets off on a much lesser time and no manslaughter
It's a crazy legal system we live with

Note from Geoff
And hello to you, Karen
I have read similar articles, but hadn't seen this one ... thanks for passing it on
Such a sad story, and we feel exactly the same as you when relating it to Tanya Mary
As you may know, the defence tried to have the "aggravation due to alcohol" removed from the charges ... HERE
The judge heard this submission at the sentence hearing ... and to his credit, he did not have a bar of it
In fact, he spoke to this bastard, telling him that he was aware of his own condition and that he shouldn't be driving
There is so much said about drinking and driving and feel that from this point, the charges should have been increased
A "weapon" was used ... if not to murder, at least to manslaughter as you say
As Sharon said in her statement to the court ... HERE
"Tanya was given a death sentence and we have been given a life sentence"
The maximum penalty for these offences was a total of fourteen years ... ten years plus four for the "aggravation"
We could not believe it when a twelve months jail term was all that was given
I hate it, absolutely hate it, when people say that nothing will bring her back ... we know this more than anybody and still cry about it almost every day
But this is not Justice for Our Girl !!
Last Wednesday was the 22nd October and marked that five months of this sentence was already over
As you wrote ... "It's a crazy legal system we live with" ... and impossible at times to accept and respect
A copy of this note is going to Sharon and she may send you her own thoughts later tonight
Thanks so much for thinking of us and Our Precious Girl

Note from Sharon
Hi Karen
The law drives me insane
The justice system is a joke ... every action is slow and ponderous and ridiculous designed by lawyers to make themselves rich
It seems to me common sense and morals have disappeared
There are so many sad, sad stories and every one breaks your heart
I am so thankful that Tanya was who she was
You and all her wonderful friends have been so kind to us and continue to be so
It means so much to us that you think about her and remember the good times you shared
I hope you and your family are well and everything is good for you
Your girls are gorgeous and I love seeing photos of them ... they look so happy !!
Lots of love

Thursday 13th November 2014 ... Geoff to Teresa Walker ( and refer to Sunday 23rd November 2014 below )

Hi again, Teresa, and I can only hope that everything is going as best it can under the circumstances
We were thinking of you on Sunday 9th November as Sharon ran her Half Marathon ... such a sad day as this is Tanya's Birthday
With the help of friends, Sharon finished and I am damn proud of her !!
I had this note in my diary ...

... and just wondering if you are feeling up to still giving it a go ??
Our thoughts to you and your family

Note from Teresa
I actually just did a run and was thinking, oh my God, how did Sharon do twenty one kilometres ??
And I have to do that on Saturday 6th December !!
I often, when I'm having a hard run, wish for Tanya to get me back up and going ... and it works !!
As I know she would be giving it 200% plus then some ... she has achieved a lot and it's very inspiring for someone like me !!
And to see Sharon carrying on is great !! ... I follow all the posts so never stop ... that is one thing I loved about Tanya
I hope you guys are well and Sharon's feet got some 'tender-loving-care' !!
Have not had not much time for training as I've been busy at work ... but the total has jumped to over four thousand !! ... I think I will have to check
My family are doing well

Note from Geoff

Wednesday 19th November 2014 ... Jacqui Searson

Hi, Geoff and Sharon
You guys are on my mind today ... just wanted to say 'hi' and check in with you
I don't really have any news ... no new holiday plans sorted ... all of our money going into the house ... hopefully early next year !!
I'm running my own little business now that is actually going quite well (alongside my normal job) so that is our holiday fund !!
Lots of love

Note from Sharon
Hi, Jacqui
It is nice of you to think of us from time to time
I know you must have a busy life ... a new house, a job, your own business and a family !!
We are doing okay
I am busy at work and I still do my crossfit training with our little group
Brett had a double hernia operation twelve weeks ago and he is just starting to get back into training ... he didn't like being inactive, that's for sure !!
HERE ... is a link to my Half-Marathon and Tanya's Birthday on Sunday 9th November 2014
If you scroll down towards the bottom to the green writing there are lots of photos
It was a very hard day ... very hot and very emotional ... you don't see to many 'smiling' photos
We got it done, though, and I know she would be proud of me and her friends who did it for her as well
THIS LINK ... is on the page above, but if you don't have time to look at everything, you might like to see Tanya's Ghost Bike's New Birthday Outfit
She always liked a new outfit !!
We are keeping track of Teresa Walker too
Her Half Ironman is on the first weekend in December and we hope she does well ... she has had a tough time of late ( see note above dated Thursday 13th November 2014 )
Our best wishes to you and your lovely family, and say 'hi' to your sister for me too

Note from Jacqui
Thank you for sharing the photos with me ... I'm sitting here having a cry ... it’s just so damn unfair !!
Sharon, you are amazing ... second in your category, too ... what an achievement ... Tanya would be absolutely as proud as punch !!
So the "Point to Pinnacle" was on last week and I didn't enter this year
You may remember last year I did it for Tanya ... HERE and scroll towards the bottom of the page ... lots of photos and information
My fitness regime is on the backburner a bit at the moment
I have been undertaking IVF treatment again for the past six months and it's a tough slog
But I'm supremely confident that November is our month !!
I will go into hospital again probably next week and we will have good news to share after that I'm sure
It's not so bad, but I swell up a lot and get very sore when I'm doing the injection therapy and it's not very conducive to exercising in public
I try to wear big tent clothes because unfortunately people think that I am actually pregnant !!
But it's just the effect of the drugs on my system ... lol ... it makes for some awkward conversations !!
I hope Teresa is okay ... I must touch base with her and see how she is going ... she is a lovely girl
Well, love to you both
I still hope to get up there sometime soon and I will say 'hi' to Lee ... she is headed up your way in February, I believe
Cheerio

Note from Sharon
Well, Jacqui, we look forward to hearing some good news real soon !!
You take care

Friday 21st November 2014 ... Jodie Bradley

There is a "Special Angel" attached to this candle

Note from Geoff
So very nice, Jodie
And like "The Letter from Heaven" ... HERE and scroll down the page ... you sent on the 8th January, I'm going to print it out and have a copy under the glass on Sharon's desk ... HERE
Christmas is 'the favourite time' of the year for Tanya Mary ... she loves it all ... the fun, the food and of course the presents !!
We know she'll be with us and Brett, keeping an eye out and looking after us ... like you wrote, "Our Special Angel"
Your notes are so thoughtful and thanks for thinking of us

Note from Jodie
You are in my heart everyday
I take four cycles classes a week (I teach now) and I remember when Tanya joined me for fees classes when I lived in Cairns
I think of her all the time, especially when there is a track that I know she would love to ride ... hard too !!

Note from Geoff
She loved her Bike !! ... being on it and really enjoying what she was seeing and doing and, yep, riding 'hard' on that track too !!
We think of her up there, cruising the hills and gullies in amongst the clouds
We get along okay, but miss her so much everyday
Yours and her friends notes and contact always help and give us a 'little smile' sometimes as well
So nice, Jodie, and I know Sharon will want to write herself when she gets home from work

Note from Geoff
Just been looking through a few of 'TMR' photo albumns
One of my favourite shots of her ... beautiful, fit, healthy and just "doing her thing" !!

Note from Sharon
Hi Jodie, and as Geoff said, we get along okay but we do miss Tanya dreadfully
We absolutely love that her friends keep in touch with her and us on Facebook ... it helps us more than any of you will ever know !!
Love to you and your family

Friday 21st November 2014 ... Sharon to Amy Bender

Hi Amy
We can't make your Birthday Party ... but I am so glad you having one !!
Birthdays are so difficult and we have gone though a few of them now
As you know, Tanya's was on Sunday 9th November and I ran a Half Marathon for her !! ... HERE
And I had my Sixtieth in August ... HERE ... and I know Tanya would have "gone to town" organising the occasion !!
My family and friends really made it special for me and I did enjoy myself
I know you have the same support and you will enjoy yourself too
Tanya used to say ... 'it is what it is' ... and she is right
We have to deal with our situations but we are both lucky to be surrounded with love from all directions
Jason is in your heart so you can enjoy the day together
Much Love

Note from Amy
Thank you, Sharon and Geoff
Jason has been dancing in the lounge room with us also !!
We know he is here, making sure I enjoy myself
All the family has arrived now and I feel truly blessed

Sunday 23rd November 2014 ... Teresa Walker ( and refer to Thursday 13th November 2014 above )

Had my first trial run race ... 1300m swim + 42km bike ride + 9km run
Finished ... and had a bit left !!
We going to get a Balloon to put on our bike rack for "Tanya"
I hope she rides on our backs and keeps us safe
New Zealand is pretty beautiful and she is often in my thoughts while I'm training

Note from Sharon
Well done, Teresa and nice words about Tanya
Sounds like a good build up race to the 6th December !!
Would love a photo of you and the Balloon on the day

Note from Geoff
Hi Teresa, and is there a Web Site for this Half-Iron-Man ??
Looking forward to following you on the 6th December !!
And as Sharon said, the "Balloon on the Rack" is a terrific gesture !!
Best wishes for your training and, of course, the Swim+Ride+Run on the day !!

Note from Teresa
'Iron Maori' should come up ... HERE
I am always in pink so I stand out ... I have pink everything !!

Note from Geoff
Got it !! ... and we'll keep an eye out for the "Runner in the Pink Tutu" !!

Note from Teresa
Love it ... but I don't think I will wear that ... maybe next time !!

and now click on this logo - - for Race Results, Facebook Posts and Photos

Monday 24th November 2014 ... Michelle Carroll

Hi Sharon, and my name is Michelle
I lived with Tanya and Tamara in London and Tanya and I were the Bridesmaids for Tamara's Wedding in Sydney
I've been wanting to let you and your husband know that my thoughts are with you both and Brett as she thought the world of all three of you
I can't imagine how hard this time of year is for all of you
Tanya was 'One Special Girl' that has a special place in my heart
Though I still struggle to come to terms with the thought of never catching up with her again
I wanted to wish you and your family a peaceful Christmas

Note from Sharon
Hi Michelle, and thank you so much for your kind thoughts
It is terrible without Tanya here living her happy exciting life and involving us all in it
Her many many friends have helped us so much these past eighteen months
They are very active on her Facebook Page and we love that you all care about her and us to 'speak' to us both
I see you are Tanya's friend on Facebook so you can see she has received her new "Christmas Outfit" from a very dear friend ... HERE
A quiet peaceful Christmas is what we want and need ... to reflect on the happier times and stay strong for Brett and each other
I hope your Christmas is exactly how you wish it to be
Kind regards
PS ... you and Tanya were beautiful Bridesmaids and I have seen lots of photos of you !!

Note from Geoff
Hi Michelle, and after reading the above I went and had a look at "Tamara's Wedding Albumn" ... it is terrific !! ... HERE
As Sharon said, your words are beautiful

Note from Michelle
Wow, thank you so much Geoff and Sharon
I had no idea about these photos !! ... Tanya missed her calling as a journalist !!
I still have those silver high heels with the bow at the back and will never part with them
Even my two little girls have tried to clip-clop around the house but these are too special to share
I know its been some time since Tanya's passing but I really just wanted to let you know you brought up an amazing lady that still brings joy in many peoples lives
My thoughts are with you all through the Christmas and New Years break
Warmest regards

Wednesday 3rd December 2014 ... Scott Ezard