Warrnambool woman Esmae Gray joined a crowd of more than 50 paying tribute to Eurydice and Qi Yu on Monday night.
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The former Melbourne woman wrapped in winter clothing, lit a candle and left a hand-written note for her childhood friend.
Ms Gray said hearing the news of Ms Dixon’s murder had taken days for her to mentally process and she was horrified it had taken place in such familiar territory.
“Rydi was my friend’s baby sister and we all went to the same school,” she said. “I have walked that same park so many times myself.”
The silent vigil held at the city’s Civic Green was one of dozens held across Australia.
Gathered crowds were invited via social media to a shared ‘quiet reflection for Eurydice, Qi Yu, and other victims of violence against women’.
Event organiser Heidi Wisniewski said the vigil was a time to ‘offer support to each other and reflect on the cultural change that must occur’.
Women's Health and Wellbeing Barwon South West CEO Emily Lee-Ack said the tragedies were shocking.
“I’ve talked to so many women recently who have been brought to tears by this,” she said. “Sadly it is familiar and yet every time it feels like such a shock.”
The body of Eurydice Dixon was found in Princes Park, Carlton North just a few hundred metres from her home last week. A 19-year-old Broadmeadows man has since been charged with her rape and murder.
This comes days after 28 year-old Campsie woman Qi Yu was allegedly murdered by her 19-year-old housemate.
The pair take the country’s total to 30 suspected or confirmed deaths due to violence against women in Australia this year.
