The mother of a young Point Cook woman who perished in a fire last week along with her partner and baby daughter has urged people in the community to "hug their children" because each moment is precious.
More than 100 mourners gathered on Sunday afternoon to release balloons and share memories of 19-year-old new mum Abbey Forrest, her partner 28-year-old Inderpal ‘Indi’ Singh and three-week-old baby Ivy.
Family, friends and neighbours gathered at a Point Cook park on Sunday to remember Abbey Forrest, her partner Indi Singh and three-week-old daughter Ivy who died in a house fire this week. Credit: Luis Ascui
The young family died when a fire ripped through their townhouse in the early hours of Wednesday.
Family, friends and neighbours arrived with flowers and soft toys, placing them outside the destroyed home, before children with large bubble wands used the windy conditions to fill the air above mouners with delicate bubbles.
A tree in memory of the young family was planted in a nearby park, which Abbey's parents Alan and Elizabeth Forrest said they would visit to remember their lost loved ones.
Mrs Forrest said she had a close bond with Abbey and spoke to her the night before the fire, leaving her phone next to her bed in case her daughter needed her help.
Abbey Forrest, her boyfriend, Indi, and baby Ivy.
"Hug your children, because you're not supposed to bury your children. Let them know that you love them, because you never know when you'll see them again," she told The Age after the memorial.
"It's been very sad. This is the first time we've been [to the house]. It's a bit of a shock to see it in real life.
"She really loved her house and she was so blessed. She was going to make up a nursery for Ivy. It's just tragic."
Mr Singh, Ms Forrest and their baby daughter had moved into the home in November.
Abbey's father Alan Forrest remembered his daughter as someone who was "fantastic with kids", and thanked the Point Cook community for their generosity.
Abbey Forrest (left), her sister, Emily, and their parents Alan and Elizabeth.
"She was very loving, very carefree, full of life. She took it day by day, but wanted to excel herself every day and become the great mother she wanted to be," he said.
"She was glowing, and words can't explain how she was with her young daughter ... she was a natural-born mum.
"The love and care of people - giving their condolences while walking down the street - has been absolutely beautiful."
One of the organisers of the memorial service, Elva Toi-Helu, said it was "amazing how the community has come together" in the wake of the tragedy.
"It hit really close to home. I’d never met Abbey before, I lived just three doors down, but she was the same age as my housemate, her sister is just a little bit older than me," she said.
"So many people have gathered together as a community to support Abbey and Indi's families."
Jenny Hayes, 46, has been charged with three counts of murder and arson causing death. She allegedly set fire to a mattress after visiting a man staying on the bottom floor of the townhouse.