Rod Willie used to drive up Murray St every day to see his grandchildren.
But in the nine months since they were allegedly stabbed to death by their mother, he has only managed to make the trip twice.
Queensland Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch on Friday handed the deeds to 34 Murray St to Cairns Mayor Bob Manning, ahead of a process to decide upon a fitting tribute to the eight children who were killed there in December.
Speaking at a ceremony in the park next to the block where the house once stood, Mr Willie, who is grandfather to five of the dead children, said he was overwhelmed by the ceremony, but pleased about the progress that had been made.
He last saw the children on the afternoon before they were found dead, when he bought them a cheesecake for his birthday.
They asked to stay at his house that night, but he had dinner plans.
"I used to pull up there everyday at 5.30 to see the grandkids," he said.
"They were everything to us."
The mother of seven of the children, and aunt to the eighth, 37-year-old Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday, has been charged with their murders.
The house was demolished in June to the relief of locals who viewed it as a sombre reminder of the deaths of the four boys and four girls aged between two and 14.
Mr Willie's son was still dealing with grief from the loss of his children and could not bear to attend the ceremony on Friday.
Mayor Manning said the council would take the family's lead on what memorial would be best for the site.
Mr Willie said a monument would rip "people's hearts" and hopes the family decide on a more subtle tribute.
"I think there's a more fitting way to do it rather than ... advertising it every day of the week," he said.
"Who really wants to know about what happened on that day?"
Ms Thaiday's matter, which is expected to go to the Mental Health Court, was in August adjourned until November 25.
Share
