Grief, disbelief and a shout of colour: Bianca Jones farewelled after Laos holiday tragedy

Early summer bayside mornings like this, Christmas on the way and a calm sea lazing beyond warming sand, are supposed to gladden the heart.

But gladness did not visit. This was a Melbourne day for a mourning and a struggle to celebrate a life gone too soon, too cruelly.

Bianca Jones was farewelled at a service at Mentone Girls’ Grammar School on Friday.Credit: Joe Armao

Grief and disbelief were written on the faces of the parade filing silently into Mentone Girls’ Grammar School’s great Prudence Lewty Hall.

Here, only a year ago, Bianca Jones was finishing her secondary schooling, preparing for university.

Now she was back only in body, a long hearse parked outside the school hall, waiting for the final movement of a tragedy.

More than 1000 family and friends came for the farewell. Many answered the Jones family’s request to wear colour, rather than the sombre tones routinely assumed for a funeral, as if florals and golds and reds and greens might somehow grant lightness to a summer day dedicated to the memory of a 19-year-old woman who only weeks ago was enjoying a carefree holiday in Laos with her friend, Holly Bowles.

“A celebration of life,” read the cover of the order of service, below a picture of Bianca Adrienne Jones laughing open-mouthed at the pleasure of living.

And on the back, a rendering of two young women floating hand-in-hand on tubes down a river with green mountains rising on all sides. “Always together, forever in our hearts,” read the caption bookended by butterflies.

In a garden outside the school hall, a statement prepared by the Jones family was delivered to a small knot of media, declaring that this day was profoundly significant for it was to honour Bianca’s active life and to say goodbye.

“We want to thank the people of Australia and the wider community for the outpouring of support and compassion during this extremely difficult time,” the family’s statement said.

Bianca’s father, Mark, with her dog, Zara, following the hearse.Credit: Joe Armao

“Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort for our family.

“The immense love shown by so many is testament to the profound impact [Bianca] had, reflected in the scale of today’s farewell.”

The cover of the order of service. Credit: Joe Armao

It seemed almost possible to imagine the pain and the love poured by the family into their few words, and the anguished exhaustion behind the request that it be read by the school principal, Natalie Charles.

Almost. But who could really conceive what it might be to have farewelled a child at an international airport terminal, all but choked by hearts in mouth or lumps in throat – only to answer a phone call that every parent dreads, learning the fine adventure had come to a bad end and the child’s life was ebbing, too far away?

And all because, like hundreds of thousands of other young Australians filled with a zest for life on their grand overseas trips, Bianca and the fellow occupants of a backpackers’ hostel ended a day with a few drinks in the bar.

How could they have even suspected that in this bar on this night, their drinks were poisonous?

The Jones family are not about to leave it at that, and have established a fundraising campaign in the names of Bianca and Holly to raise world knowledge of the dangers of alcohol substitution.

“We remain committed to ensuring that awareness of Bianca and Holly and others internationally impacted by this tragic story continues,” the family’s statement declared.

Bianca Jones’ family requested mourners dress colourfully.Credit: Joe Armao

“Her legacy is far too important to be forgotten and our children’s lives too important not to protect.

“We hope their stories drive change and inspire effort to save lives.”

Soon, the great parade of mourners filed out of the school hall, followed by a white casket covered by flowers – a shout of colour.

Bianca’s father, Mark, led a dog on a leash to the hearse – Bianca’s loved pet, Zara. Her mother, Michelle, stood close by, a study in grief and dignity.

More than 1000 mourners attended the service.Credit: Joe Armao

The summer afternoon began darkening. There was a hint of rain in the air. Down by the beach, right across the road from Bianca Jones’ old school, there was a chop on the bay.

Holly Bowles’ funeral will be at Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday.

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