Wollongong Council is considering erecting a memorial at Fairy Meadow beach in memory of three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer.
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In January next year it will be 50 years since the toddler disappeared. She had been in the shower block at the beach when witnesses claim a man took her and ran off.
It is believed that she was strangled to death around an hour after her abduction on January 12, 1970, in the nearby suburb of Balgownie.
It's easy to hide behind nice words and say the right thing, we as a family are sick of that and want actions not words.
Cheryl's brother Ricki, who was the last person to see her alive, says he would even foot the bill for a monument to not just honour his sister, but to alert residents today for the need for vigilance when it comes to children.
"It was my fault, I shouldn't have left, I should have been more aware of my surrounds," Mr Nash told the Mercury, saying he blames himself for his sisters disappearance.
"So I want the memorial to carry a positive message, to remind people to always be careful, to be vigilant, a neighbourhood watch type message, something positive," he said.
"I'm happy to pay the bill, but I would like to see a memorial erected in honour of Cheryl, not only to acknowledge her and the horrific thing that took place but to try and create a positive awareness message.
"So on beautiful sunny days, when kids are enjoying the beach, we remind people to please enjoy the surrounds but be aware of the dangers."
Council has not yet decided whether to honour the wishes of the Grimmer family, who also plan to hold a memorial walk from Balgownie to Fairy Meadow beach on the 50th anniversary of Cheryl's death.
They will hold the walk with or without council support.
"The death of Cheryl Grimmer has left an indelible mark on our city's history," a council spokeswoman said.
"We're aware of the ongoing impact the event has had on our local community and the Grimmer family.
"We have been approached by a member of the Grimmer family seeking a way to acknowledge Cheryl.
"We are working through their request with the sensitivity it deserves.''
Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery said he was sympathetic to the Grimmer family's wishes but stressed he needed to exercise caution when considering the request.
"We need to make sure that it fits in with our policies and I am very conscious if we make a decision about one, there are many other cases that may also ask the same thing," Cr Bradbery said.
"For example there have been drownings at that beach, and up and down the coastline for that matter so there are any others that could also come forward," he said.
"I am sympathetic and we would have to look carefully at what is put forward and whether it fits in with our existing policy."
But Cheryl's brother says that with all due respect to the mayor, he disagrees. The other deaths are very different to what his family has endured.
"It's sad to read about the drownings on Fairy Meadow Beach and surrounding beaches, but abduction, murder and never knowing what happened to Cheryl is another thing," Mr Nash said.
"I would have hoped the council and the Lord Mayor could have understand that, it's easy to hide behind nice words and say the right thing, we as a family are sick of that and want actions not words.
"Our family have nowhere to pay our respects and acknowledge Cheryl's life this is why we would like to see the memorial erected," he said.
Cheryl's disappearance had been without explanation for over 45 years, until a suspect was arrested and charged in 2017. His trial was expected to take place at the NSW Supreme Court in May this year.
However, in February a judge ruled his detailed 1971 confession to the crime was inadmissible, and the charge was dropped.
In the absence of that interview, there was insufficient evidence for the case to proceed.
In Tuesday's Illawarra Mercury, CYDONEE MARDON continues her series, revealing why the Grimmer family are demanding a review of the evidence.