By PETER DOUGLAS AND RUSSELL BENNETT
FAMILY, sporting club members and local students were among the many grieving over the weekend after the loss of three teenagers in a car accident.
Sharn Walker, Felisha Allen and Jason Breakwell lost their lives after their car hit a tree along Phillip Road, Avonsleigh, last Tuesday afternoon, with friend Jake Mitchell, 19, surviving the crash.
Many moving tributes were held, including at the Emerald versus Gembrook-Cockatoo football match, where the teens all had strong links.
After the match, every Brookers and Bombers player stood arm-in-arm next to an opponent or opposition club person, forming a ring around the centre-circle in the middle of the Gembrook football ground.
Caillin Porter, from the Emerald Football Club, which lost the clash, said it was a fitting tribute.
“The one thing I want to hear is Gembrook going in and singing their song, and I want to make sure it’s loud,” she said.
“We’re here to celebrate this game we play and we’re here to celebrate each other.
“We’ve spent our time in silence, and Gembrook has every right to sing that song loud and with passion.”
Out of respect for the teens, the Emerald Under 18s football match did not go ahead.
Earlier in the morning, with cars beginning to pack out the ground from well before 9.30am, netball players converged on the courts to pay special tribute to Sharn.
Amanda Paull, Sharn’s coach and friend, spoke before the gathering of more than 100 people released balloons into the sky.
Meanwhile, Emerald Secondary College last Thursday opened its doors to many students reeling over the shock loss.
All were well-known at the school, with both girls in Year 11.
Department of Education counsellors trained in loss and grief were made available to students, with many students attending and seeking assistance.
College principal Mike Jaremczuk said the tight-knit school community was still in shock, but it was encouraging to see the students support one another.
“In times like this, it’s important to talk about what has taken place,” he said.
“There were plenty who came to show support for one another.”
Mr Jaremczuk said the teens were well-known and popular among their peers.
“The two girls were both students here and really well liked,” he said.
“James was a student last year … he was a charismatic kid, well-liked and had many great mates.
“It’s a complete tragedy, which will have a big impact on the community.”
A Go FundMe page, ‘Avonsleigh Angels’, has been set up to help ease the financial burden of the families.
About $30,000 has already been raised, with more than $3000 raised at the Gembrook footy ground on Saturday alone.
To donate, visit www.gofundme.com/avonsleighangels.
