Tarago crash victim Brooke Sorlie remembered in Berry service

One of the young victims of a horror rural NSW crash has been remembered as a caring, horse loving, beautiful and kind soul at her south coast service.

A young south coast woman, horse trainer, sister, niece, daughter and partner has been remembered by family, friends and hundreds of grievers as a one of a kind, gentle, loving and caring soul at her funeral.

Brooke Charmaine Sorlie was only 21-years-old when she died on July 28 in a horror crash at Tarago, near Goulburn, as she and her close friends returned home to the Shoalhaven after a weekend getaway.

The group, including Brooke’s partner, Aaron French, 20 - who was remembered at a service in Worrigee on Thursday - Charlie Quinn, 18, and Lachlan Stuckey, 21, had visited Canberra from their homes in the Nowra region to celebrate a friend’s 21st.

However, while driving home, Stuckey allegedly crashed the car and killed all three passengers.

Brooke Sorlie’s casket is taken away by horse and carriage as family and friends watch on. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Stuckey survived the crash and has since been charged with three counts of negligent driving occasioning death and one count of driving a motor vehicle while his licence was suspended.

He is set to appear in the Goulburn Court on October 9.

Weeks later, Brooke has been remembered at a packed service at the Berry Uniting Church.

The Saturday service began with Brooke, who had an enormous love for horses, being brought to the hall by a carriage pulled by two large, white stallions.

Brooke Sorlie’s casket arrives by horse and carriage. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

As the five pallbearers, including Brooke’s father, Svein Sorlie, carried the 20-year-old into the church, an overture of the song ‘Hallelujah’ filled the halls.

Brooke’s sister and best friend, Leila Sorlie, spoke to the crowd which was so large, a second hall was opened where a live stream of the service was played.

Leila described her sister as a “rare, beautifully kind spirit”.

“Her calming presence put everyone at ease,” she said, wiping tears from her face.

“She was a gentle reminder of the joys in everyday life.”

Family and friends gather at the funeral of Brooke Sorlie as her casket arrives by horse and carriage. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Leila revealed Brooke’s name came from the babbling brook river which ran near their family’s Brogers Creek home, outside Kangaroo Valley.

“She was always happy, bubbling and flowing,” she said.

Leila spoke of Brooke’s love for horses, noting how she was half way through gaining her racehorse trainer qualification before she was taken in the crash.

“She had a special way with horses,” she said.

“A special way of connecting with them.

“I miss you and I love you.”

Brookes father, Svein, said he was proud of the woman his daughter had become.

“She was a shining light full of joy and positivity,” she said to the packed hall.

Brooke Sorlie’s mother Kathleen O’Sullivan (in blue) is comforted by family and friends at the funeral of her daughter. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

However, Svien shared his deep heartbreak that Brooke would never get to meet her younger sister, Amelia, who lived overseas with him.

“I will make sure she knows all about you,” he said.

“I will tell her about the caring, loving person her big sister was.”

Brooke’s dog, Bernie, joined the service, cared for by her cousin, Byron O’Sullivan, who also spoke of her kind nature.

As the song ‘Bloom’ by The Paper Kites filled the hall, a slide show of Brooke with her friends, family, horses and dog played to the hundreds of guests, showcasing her adventurous nature and love for everything around her.

And as the service drew to a close, the five pallbearers placed Brooke’s casket back into the horse’s carriage, while friends and family, like Brooke’s mother, Kathleen O’Sullivan, sat red roses atop.

Brooke Sorlie’s father Svein Sorlie (front right) helps carry his daughter’s casket. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Family and friends gather at the funeral of Brooke Sorlie as her casket arrives by horse and carriage. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

As Brooke was carried away by the horse and carriage, the words from her poem ‘Poetry About Me’ written when she was a child and given to all at the service, was present in the air.

If I was an animal, I would be a horse, loyal, strong and fast.

If I was a plant, I would be a fern tree, tall, tuff and skinny.

If I were a season, I would be like summer, tan, active and fun.

If I was a sound, I would resemble ocean, sometimes gently, sometimes ruff.

If I was a building, I would be sport and rec, fun, tall and sporty.

If I was an object, I would be a bouncy ball, fun, active and playful.

Luckily for you, I’m just plain old me, Brooke Sorlie.

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