How one community shows 'strength' after young mum's alleged murder

The women from the Western Clydesdales' rugby league team will wear purple ribbons in their hair when they play this weekend.

Team co-captain Mersades Lawson said the small gesture would honour Jana Armstrong and other alleged domestic violence victims across Queensland's Darling Downs.

"We thought it would be a great way to reach out to the community … the way they've supported us," Ms Lawson said.

Ms Armstrong's former partner, Dharminder Singh, was charged with the murder of the mother after her body was found in bushland an hour north of Toowoomba on Saturday. Ms Singh's lawyer said he plans to contest the charge.

The 30-year-old was the third woman allegedly killed by a man known to her across the region west of Brisbane in the past 18 months.

The Clydesdale's gesture comes as thousands of Darling Downs residents have shared their support for Ms Armstrong's family.

Her sister, Faith Isaacs, thanked the community for "all their kindness and love and all their generosity".

"It's going to show for years and [Ms Armstrong's baby] will grow up feeling loved and not only from his auntie and uncle, but from the community and I just can't thank everyone enough for everything, all their support," Ms Isaacs told the ABC.

Clydesdale's CEO Alex Pagonis said the team felt it was their responsibility to raise awareness about domestic violence.

Mr Pagonis said the team was recently blown away by support for a teammate who was injured in a car crash so felt they had to repay the favour and raise awareness.

"We thought 'You know what, we should be doing something to raise community awareness about this issue [domestic violence] as well'," Mr Pagonis said.

Support in the wake of tragedy

More than $66,000 has been donated to the Armstrong family so far and the family said they had received so many donations of personal goods and items for Ms Armstrong's child that they don't need any more.

Flowers have been placed outside Ms Armstrong's home and candlelight vigils will be held in her honour.

Toowoomba's deputy mayor, Rebecca Vonhoff, said that, sadly, domestic violence was personal to so many and deeply impacted the wider community.

"I think what we're all seeing and feeling is that when there is difficulty, we know that we can rely on each other to stand together,"

she said

"We know that even as we struggle to make sense of things, we know that people will do everything they can and then some."

Toowoomba cleaners Liv and Chrissy said they would donate 35 per cent of all profits from their cleaning business from jobs booked in support of the Armstrong family.

Both women said they have experienced domestic violence and wanted to work to help out.

"I do have a small platform where people are incredible to our business, and I know that some of our community will come together and donate," said Liv, who asked for her surname to be withheld.

"They get something for themselves, but they also are able to know their money's going towards a little boy and a family who will be able to use that for something good."

Ways to combat community 'epidemic'

While the community at large is grieving for Ms Armstrong, those who knew her are also leaning on each other during the difficult days ahead.

On Wednesday, Ms Armstrong's former basketball team, The Saints, played for the first time since learning about her death.

Her former teammate, Bethany Graham, said it was an emotional reunion for the team.

"She was such a strong, positive, caring person that always thought of everyone else, and it just hurts," Ms Graham said.

"I guess for a lot of us, we've seen stories like this on the news, but it's never been someone that we know."

Ms Graham said it was important for conversations about domestic violence awareness to be had.

"We need to do everything we can to put an end to it,"

she said.

"I'm a mother of boys I realised that I've got a big responsibility to raise my boys so they know how to treat whoever they choose as their partner in the way they deserve."

For many years, Ms Armstrong cared for people with disabilities in the Darling Downs as a support carer at Warrina Services.

Operations manager Fiona Thomspon said her colleagues and clients were "heartbroken" following her death.

"Jana was a valued member of the Warrina Services team and she was a dedicated and compassionate support worker, who made a meaningful difference in the lives of the people she supported," Ms Thompson said.

Meanwhile, Mr Pagonis encouraged those who plan to support the Western Clydesdales when they play at Langlands Park in Brisbane this weekend to wear purple.

""I think it would be a fantastic show of strength," Mr Pagonis said.

"It's basically just spiritually getting behind a family that's got a tough time ahead."

A community candlelight vigil will also be hosted by Protea Place Women's Support Centre at the Toowoomba Regional Council civic square at 5pm on July 24.