Wendy Aston has shared her feeling of relief that a date has been set for the appeal of her husband Jack's sentence.
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The Ballarat 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.
Mr Aston was sentenced to five years and three months jail, with a minimum of two-and-a-half years, on December 17.
An appeal of his sentence will be heard on October 7, the family were told today.
"We are all feeling totally relieved. I spoke to Jack today and he feels the same," she said.
"Before when we sort of knew the appeal could have been held that week we were thinking about how we are about to go through it all again. Now we have been sitting on that thought for five weeks we are all ready for the appeal. Bring it on."
Mr Aston has spent more than seven months in Middleton Prison in Castlemaine.
During that time he and his family have been subject to an emotional show of community support for their campaign to #FREEJACK and improve the Montague Street Bridge.
His story has resonated with people around Victoria; the family has received a flood of letters, messages and petition signatures to support his appeal effort in the seven months since his conviction, and the messages are still coming in.
Mrs Aston told The Courier she is in the process of organising a rally with some bus companies to show support for Mr Aston in Melbourne in September.
"It is for people to feel like they are part of it because everyone has put so much into getting Jack out, there are new letters in the newspaper almost every day. It will be nice to get everyone together," she said.
Mrs Aston will meet with Mr Aston's lawyers in the coming weeks to gain a better understand of the appeal process and prepare for the October 7 hearing.
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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.
