Community compassion is continuing to support jailed Gold Bus driver Jack Aston and his family who are waiting for him to come home.
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Dozens of letters that are sent to Jack in jail continue flooding in to the Humffray Street General Store. So do signatures on an online and paper petition, that now totals more than 10,000 people.
It has been an emotional show of support for a man who's story has resonated with people around Victoria.
Now Jack's wife Wendy Aston is asking family, friends and supporters to send an email to Victorian Attorney General Jill Hennessy as part of a campaign to appeal his sentence.
She is backed by Jack's former employers Mick and Sam Murphy, owners of Inland Body Works, who say his job will be there waiting for him to return to when he is released from jail.
More than 80 people have already sent an email in a show of support and anger at Jack's unexpected sentence.
Jack was sentenced to five years and three months with a minimum of two-and-a-half years jail in December.
The Gold Bus driver crashed into a low clearance bridge on Montague Street in South Melbourne in February 2016 and was found guilty of six counts of negligently causing serious injury.
His lawyers lodged an appeal against the sentence in February and the family is waiting for its acceptance and a court date.
It could be six to nine months before an appeal is heard.
In the meantime, family and friends will continue driving to Castlemaine every weekend to visit Jack at Middleton Prison.
Wendy, son Ben and daughter Meg speak to him on the phone every day. Wendy said Jack was struggling not being able to support his family during difficult periods like Wendy's recent hip replacement.
"He said to me last time he was talking to me he is scared he is going to be lazy, he is going to come out lazy because there isn't enough to do. He is someone who is always doing something," Sam Murphy said, co-owner of Inland Motor Body Works and Jack's friend.
It has been just over four months since Jack was imprisoned. Wendy and Jack will celebrate their wedding anniversary this weekend.
"Sometimes I think if we think too far ahead we go nuts, but if we bring it back and look at what is in front of us we can cope a bit better," Wendy said.
"We just keep saying to ourselves we are going through this for a reason - to save someone's life. Someone will die on that bridge.
"We feel so lucky there is so much support around Jack and our family."
Anyone can write a letter to Jack, drop it off or mail it to the Humffray Street General Store where a petition can also be signed.
Victorian Attorney General Jill Hennessy's contact is Attorney-General@justice.vic.gov.au.
Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
