In a poignant coincidence, Macquarie Dictionary has accepted the term ‘Brendan’s Law’ into its pages in the same week as the fifth anniversary of the death of the much-loved boy for whom the law was named.
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Nine-year-old Brendan Saul was killed in a hit-and-run accident in Wheelers Lane, Dubbo on January 8, 2004.
After the driver of the car escaped what many in the community considered to be a just punishment, Brendan’s father, Kevin Saul strove for change.
The result was Brendan’s Law and yesterday Mr Saul was “ blown away” when told by the Daily Liberal that the Macquarie Dictionary had been updated to include the term.
“There you go, that’s huge,” said a stunned Mr Saul.
The Macquarie Dictionary definition for Brendan’s Law is “an amendment to the NSW Crimes Act (1900) which stipulates that a driver must stop after a road accident in which a person has been severely injured and render any assistance within their power to the injured person”.
Brendan’s memory is perpetuated and Mr Saul’s strength is recognised in the origin given for the noun.
The dictionary says, “from Brendan Saul, a boy who in 2004 died in such an accident, and whose father’s lobbying efforts resulted in the amendment”.
Saulie’s reaction to his own mention was typical for the well-respected Dubbo man.
“That’s pretty humbling, awesome,” he said.
This year was the first time the Saul family had been away from home on the anniversary of their son and brother’s death, but they spent yesterday in the beautiful Coffs Harbour, surrounded by family and friends.
“We’re watching his brother Matthew play cricket for the western under-16s team in the Bradman Cup, kicking back with lots of people we know,” Mr Saul said.
“Something Brendy would have been happy to do.”
faye.wheeler@ruralpress.com
