b'Tanya Dayremember her nameFollowing the tragic death of Yorta Yorta woman Tanya Dayexplored through several hearings conducted by the in hospital while in police custody, Allens provided supportcoroner. For her family it was important that the inquest to her four children in their quest for justice.consider whether racism played a role in their mothers arrest and detention. Allens was engaged by the Victorian In 2017 fifty-five-year-old Day boarded a Melbourne-boundAboriginal Legal Service and the Human Rights Law Centre train in Echuca, a trip that takes around four hours. She hadto assist in making submissions that the actions taken by been drinking and fell asleep. When the conductor asked tothe police and train staff were influenced by unconscious see her ticket and she couldnt find it, he reported her to thebias. Days family also sought to have the offence of public police and she was removed from the train, arrested for publicdrunkenness repealed from Victorias Summary Offence intoxication and placed in a cell at Castlemaine police station. Act 1966 on the basis that the offence was outdated and disproportionately affected First Nations peoples. Day had not been in the cell long when she hit her head on the concrete wall. Despite the requirement that inmates beIn 2020 the coroner recommended the police officers checked and roused every thirty minutes, the police took fourinvolved be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions hours to notice the bruise on Days forehead. She was taken(DPP) to consider whether their conduct gave rise to criminal by ambulance to Bendigo Hospital, where a scan revealedoffences. Following assessment, the DPP recommended an extensive brain haemorrhage. Although airlifted to Stthat charges not be laid. A few months later, the Victorian Vincents Hospital in Melbourne for emergency surgery, sheGovernment announced its decision to abolish the offence of died seventeen days later.public drunkenness and to institute a culturally appropriate health response to public drunkenness.The circumstances of her death required a coronial inquest. Issues of systemic racism and public drunkenness were Tanya Days children Apryl, Belinda and Warren outside the Coroners Court of Victoria, 2019. 235'