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A small NSW town has effectively shut down so about 1,000 mourners could attend the funeral of two teenagers who died in a boating incident shortly after Christmas.
Key points:
- Cousins Hannah Seymour and Rebecca Teuma died in a boating incident two days after Christmas
- About 1,000 mourners attended the teenagers' funeral in their home town of Quirindi
- The girls were remembered for their talents, friendly nature, and positive outlook on life
Cousins Hannah Seymour, 14, and Rebecca Teuma, 13, died when they collided with a submerged tree stump, while they were being towed in an inflatable raft by a speedboat on Lake Keepit near Tamworth on December 27.
They were farewelled today at a funeral in their home town of Quirindi, south of Tamworth on the Liverpool Plains, where they were remembered as strong, friendly, and talented young women who were enthusiastic about life.
Photographs depicted the girls as babies and young children, enjoying swimming, horses and riding motorbikes.
The mourners wore pink and blue ribbons to represent Hannah and Rebecca respectively, and released balloons of the same colours into the sky at the end of the service.
Proud family says 'thank you'
Rebecca's father Jason Teuma told the crowd his daughter was multi-talented, and never gave up on anything.
"She could ride a motorbike, crack a whip … fix the water pipes … making her Dad so proud," he said.
"Thank you Rebecca for being you."
Her sisters Cassandra and Jacqui said they appreciated the support their sister was able to provide, even at a young age.
"If you were upset she would jump in bed with you and show you TikToks that would make you laugh," one of the sisters said.
Hannah's aunts, Kelly Stackman and Tammy Lingard, and cousin Steph Lingard, reflected on her passion for rugby union, and the love she felt from the local rugby community as the under-14 captain.
"Her enthusiasm for the sport was contagious."
"She was always unapologetically herself."
They said Hannah was happiest "getting dirty and muddy" and was not afraid to try new things.
"Her bright light and positive impact will live on in the memories in us she's left behind."
A 'massive blow' to town
Several businesses and local council services in the town of 3,500 people closed their doors for the day as a mark of respect.
Liverpool Plains Shire Council Mayor Doug Hawkins said the families involved were "very well known" in the region.
"It's been a massive blow to the entire community," he said.
Cr Hawkins said the community support for the families had been "tremendous."
"We as a shire are supporting the family in whatever way we can."
A police investigation into the the incident is ongoing.