Funerals cap extended to 100: ‘Slater’s special spirit had a hand in this’
A Labrador mum has expressed her ‘utter relief’ in the easing of funeral restrictions just days before she lays her six-year-old son to rest.
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A LABRADOR mum has expressed her “utter relief” in the easing of funeral restrictions just days before she lays her six-year-old son to rest.
From 4pm Friday, up to 100 people will be able to attend funerals in southeast Queensland compared to the 20 previously allowed.
The means all family and friends will be able to attend Monday’s funeral for Slater Clifton-Walker, who died from brain cancer last week.
The chief health officer had previously knocked back a funeral exemption plea from the six-year-old’s mum, Bianca Walker.
“I can’t deny that Slater’s special spirit had a hand in this,” Ms Walker said.
“Not just for our family, but all the other families that are grieving at this time.”
The family is organising a large public memorial later in the year.
Why CHO knocked back Slater Clifton-Walker funeral plea – August 17
THE chief health officer has knocked back a funeral exemption plea from the family of a six-year-old Labrador boy who died of brain cancer.
Slater Clifton-Walker died last week after years of fighting an aggressive brain cancer.
With funerals capped at 20 people under the current Covid restrictions, Bonney MP Sam O’Connor had written to Jeannette Young on behalf of the family requesting an exemption to allow a ticketed event with 50 people.
In her response to Mr O’Connor, Dr Young expressed her condolences to the family but knocked back the request, saying funerals were “high-risk environments for the transmission of Covid-19”.
Mr O’Connor described the outcome as “upsetting”.
“It is disappointing considering The Gabba is at 50 per cent capacity,” he said.
The decision was a further blow to Slater’s devastated mum, Bianca Walker.
“While I’m very sad, I do understand,” she said.
“The last thing I want would be to make anyone else sick.”
A small funeral of 20 close family and friends will be held on Monday.
It will incorporate elements of Slater’s favourite horror movies and TV shows to reflect his “precious and dark” sense of humour.
Guests will wear black, which was the six year old’s favourite colour.
The family are organising a large public memorial later in the year once restrictions ease.
“His memorial service will be the biggest party the Gold Coast has ever seen,” Ms Walker said.
Slater’s heartbroken mum pleads for funeral exemption – August 13
THE family of a six-year-old Labrador boy who died of brain cancer are pleading with the chief health officer to let them extend the funeral capacity limit from 20 people to 50.
Slater Clifton-Walker died on Wednesday morning after years of fighting an aggressive brain cancer.
The brave little boy stole the hearts of Gold Coasters and people around the world after his family shared his tragic health battle.
Musgrave Hill State School threw the youngster a Hero Day for Slater in May to honour the Gold Coaster’s incredible resilience and to raise money for brain cancer research.
Also throwing their weight behind the cause were ironmen Ali Day and Matt Poole, ironwoman Georgia Miller, Olympic swimmer James Roberts and sprinter Bree Masters.
Funerals are capped at 20 people under the current Covid restrictions. Slater’s funeral is expected to be held in the coming days.
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor has written to chief health officer Jeannette Young on behalf of the family requesting an exemption to allow a ticketed event with a 50-person capacity.
Slater’s mum Bianca Walker said she would be devastated if an exemption was not granted.
“It would break my heart,” Ms Walker said.
“We’re not asking for a large exemption or for people to cross the border from lockdown zones or anything.
“It’s just to be able to have the family and close friends we have here on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane with us on such a sad day.
“I fully respect that other families have been denied exemptions and I in no way wish to upset anyone.
“I have respect for the rules and understand that not everybody can receive an exemption.”
Mr O’Connor’s letter stated the family would do whatever it takes to make Slater’s farewell “less stressful and heartbreaking”.
“I understand restrictions are necessary, particularly as we battle this Delta variant, however when larger religious services can take place in similar venues, cinemas are open and tens of thousands can attend stadiums, I struggle to understand why a funeral cannot have 50 attendees …” he wrote.
A Queensland Health spokeswoman expressed their condolences to Slater’s family and friends.
“The current restrictions across southeast Queensland are in place until August 22 at this stage, and are for the protection of Queenslanders. Funerals are restricted to 20 people,” she said.
“Hundreds of people are in home quarantine, testing positive on day 10 and 11.
“If a person attends a funeral on day eight of the 14-day incubation period, only to test positive on day 12, then the impact could be significant for the community.”
TRIBUTES POUR IN FOR ‘INSPIRATIONAL’ SLATER
SLATER Clifton-Walker’s devastated mum has revealed how her “beautiful” boy is already helping save the lives of other children.
Bianca Walker paid tribute to six year old Slater, who died on Wednesday morning having spent most of his short life fighting an aggressive brain cancer.
Ms Walker told The Bulletin her son’s brain had been donated to the Queensland Children’s Tumour Bank.
“They will be able to use samples of his tumour to further their research,” she said.
“He is already helping to save children in the future.
“Even after he’s gone, he’s still helping.”
The Labrador family has been left shattered by the loss.
“He changed the world in his short time,” Slater’s mum said.
“I can’t thank the whole Gold Coast community enough for all their love and outpouring of support.
“The whole world is crying for him. People all around the world are sending us messages.”
Ms Walker said close family would hold a small memorial service for Slater in the coming days.
A larger memorial service livestreamed to the public will be held after that, with details still being finalised.
Tributes have poured in for the brave little boy who stole the hearts of Gold Coasters.
Slater was only 18 months old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour – ependymoma posterior fossa – and he spent long periods of time in hospital fighting the insidious disease.
Gold Coast police officer Senior Constable Zoe Tidswell – who arranged for Slater to become an honorary member of the Queensland Police Service – said he would be “dearly missed”.
“I was fortunate enough to meet little Slater for the first time back in July 2019 where Senior Constable Georgia Sutton and myself gave Slater his wish and inducted him into the Queensland Police family,” she said.
“Since that day I have been blown away by his strength and positivity.
“Slater stole hearts all over the world and I’m truly grateful that I could be a part of his journey.
“Slater was and always will be an honorary member of the Queensland Police Service.”
Musgrave Hill State School, where Slater attended, threw the youngster a Hero Day on May 28.
Principal Julie-Anne McGuinness said the whole school community was deeply saddened by Slater’s passing.
“He was a remarkable and inspirational young child who will be greatly missed by all
his friends and teachers,” she said.
“Our thoughts and sincere sympathies go out to the family, caregivers, friends and
loved ones during this difficult time.
“Support is being provided to students and staff, and guidance counsellors will remain
at the school to provide support in any way they can and for as long as it is needed.”
Bonney MP Sam O’Connor was “devastated” to discover Slater lost his fight with brain cancer.
“He may have only lived for six years but he made the most of every second he was here,” he said.
“From running onto Metricon Stadium with the Blues to getting into the cockpit of a Virgin plane to being in (and blasting the horns on) more emergency service vehicles than you can count, Slater gave life everything he had.
“I’ll never forget the spontaneous Ninja Turtle moves he pulled as we walked around the oval leading the 2019 Cancer Council Relay for Life.
“That was just one of the many times he supported charities – surely the only prep student who can claim to have raised tens of thousands of dollars for medical research.”
Mr O’Connor said Slater’s bravery was “an inspiration” and the little boy “never lost his cheeky personality or sense of humour”, despite his cancer battle.
“To Slater’s mum Bianca, his Aunty Mel and your entire family – the thoughts of our whole community are with you at this time,” he said.
“You should be so proud of your brave little boy and the impact he made in such a short time.”
Mr O’Connor said Slater’s death would be particularly hard for Musgrave Hill State School, but the community could be proud of all they had done.
He also thanked healthcare workers for the help they had given Slater.
“To the incredible staff at Gold Coast University Hospital and Queensland Children’s Hospital, who went above and beyond to provide exceptional care to Slater for most of his life, thank you,” he said.
Tributes for Slater from Bulletin readers:
Fiona Zielke: “All your friends from The Hill are sending your mum loads of love. You will be missed but you leave such an amazing legacy. RIP beautiful Slater.”
Chris Fielding: “R. I. P little slater fly high little man look you touched so many people Australia wide no more pain fly high.”
Lorraine Harris: “‘The Hill’ Community will miss you RIP and may your family find comfort in each other.”
Tammy Leitch: “RIP brave courageous Slater. You fought your hardest. Fly pain free now sweet boy. Hugs and kisses to Bianca and family and friends.”
Alana Brown: “He was an amazing little man with such a big heart. You will be missed buddy thinking of your family and friends.”
Genevieve Aitchison: “Such a beautiful little man Slater was! Sending love to your incredible mum and family.”
Wendy Skelton: “Deepest sympathies to Slater’s dear family and friends. Fly high little man.”
Simon Shanahan: “My thoughts are with his poor family. Rest in peace little guy.”
Joanne Kitcher: “Such a gorgeous little man and he had to face a terrible disease at such a young age. R. I. P Slater.”
Sharna Owens: “Rip little man may you find peace and happiness now you have wings.”
Louise Wilson: “R.I.P. Slater. Fly high little buddy. Condolences to the family. Gone way too soon.”
Dominique Jensen: “Life can be so unfair. Rip little angel condolences to the family.”
Denise Jeffs: “R. I. P Slater brave little soul you fought hard fly high now free of pain. Deepest condolences to your family and friends.”
Sami Carrington Malinowski: “RIP Slater. Life can be so cruel. Strength love and condolences sent to the whole family.”
Teresa McDonald: “So Sad such a little trooper. Fly high Slater. My condolences to his family.”
Karlene Tange: “So sad RIP little one condolences to his family sending you strength at this very difficult time.”
Shelley Chappel: “We will miss you so much little SlaterBug! Chloe and you had such a beautiful friendship that I know we will all treasure forever. The world is definitely not going to be the same without your gorgeous little personality in it. Love you our little friend.”
AUGUST 11: BRAVE BOY LOSES CANCER FIGHT
A BRAVE Labrador boy who spent most of his short life fighting an aggressive brain cancer died this morning.
Slater Clifton-Walker, 6, stole the hearts of Gold Coasters after his family shared his tragic health battle.
Slater was only 18 months old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour – ependymoma posterior fossa – and he spent long periods of time in hospital fighting the insidious disease.
In May, Slater’s mum Bianca said her son’s tumour was continuing to grow at a rapid pace and he only had a few months to live, with no other treatment options available.
“He’s now completely lost his hearing, and while he finds this frustrating, continues to wake up every day singing,” Bianca said at the time.
“He’s deteriorated a lot recently and is getting quite frustrated and angry which is absolutely heartbreaking.
“We wonder if he’s starting to feel really alone, and we’re worried he doesn’t know why we aren’t fixing him.”
On May 28, Musgrave Hill State School threw the youngster a Hero Day for Slater to honour the Gold Coaster’s incredible resilience and to raise vital funds for brain cancer research.
Classmates dressed as their favourite superhero and Slater’s much-loved police and firefighters turned up in uniform in support.
Also throwing their weight behind the cause were ironmen Ali Day and Matt Poole, ironwoman Georgia Miller, Olympic swimmer James Roberts and sprinter Bree Masters.
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