Dusty Daly farewelled in moving Tinamba West funeral after horror Gippsland plane crash

A 15-year-old killed in a horror plane crash with his cousins as they travelled to help their grandma put up Christmas lights has been farewelled in a moving Gippsland service.

A “little ratbag” and “beautiful boy” killed in a horror plane crash in Victoria’s east dreamt of travelling around Australia on his motorbike.

Family and friends of 15-year-old Dustin Daly gathered in front of the Macalister River on Friday in the first of two funerals for the family.

Dustin Daly, 15, was killed in a horror plane crash alongside his cousins Luke and Benny Smith. The trio was on the way to their grandma's house to help her put up Christmas decorations. Picture: Supplied.

The teen was killed alongside his cousins Luke and Benny Smith as they flew to their grandma’s house to help her put up Christmas decorations.

“Generous with his time and generous with his smiles”, a fishing rod was set up — cast and baited — next to his coffin, ready to catch a fish.

“Whoever is speaking when the fish jumps on the hook, has to reel it in,” celebrant Julie Darcy said. “Forgive me if I speak quickly.”

Dusty was a keen motocross rider. Picture: Supplied.

“Dusty’s life had many moments of laughter, happiness, friendship and caring,” Ms Darcy said.

Dusty lifted people’s sprits by “just being in the room”, the crowd heard.

His summers had always been spent in Tinamba, with the teen described as a “third generation river rat” who slept in their family bus.

Mum Amy and dad Matt spoke of their "beautiful boy". Picture: Supplied.

Mum Amy, supported by dad Matt, said it was a day she’d hoped and prayed she’d never have to do again.

“Our most beautiful boy, you lit up our world,” she said.

“I love a kid with spunk. Dusty, you oozed so much spunk.”

Dusty Daly's mum Amy gave a tearful eulogy. Picture: Supplied.

Describing the teen as a “little ratbag”, Amy said Dusty was an easygoing and pleasant boy who was his dad’s “shadow”.

“Your work ethic on the farm was amazing and you never questioned to get anything done.

Mum Amy kisses Dusty’s coffin after speaking of her love for her son. Picture: Supplied.

But it wasn’t just work where Dusty followed in his dad’s footsteps.

Ever the practical joker, the family had to be careful whenever the pair was around.

“You always had a joke to tell, a story to say and a smile on your face,” Amy said.

The 15-year-old worked hard on the family’s dairy farm. Picture: Supplied.

Dustin’s sister Bella said her brother “touched so many hearts”.

“Our special things were motorbikes,” she said.

“I never thought this day would come, I will never forget the heartbreaking call.

“He is too young, it’s the hardest when you don’t even get to say goodbye.”

Dusty Daly's sister Bella spoke of her "best buddy" who "touched so many hearts". Picture: Supplied.

Bella described her younger brother as her best friend, someone who would always protect her despite being two years her junior.

“My Dusty boy was my best buddy, we did everything together from motorbikes to fishing and hunting,” she said, tearing up as she announced he had been regraded to motocross B-grade just days after his death.

A photo montage to Dusty Daly was played at his funeral. Picture: Supplied.

Telling stories of his love of gaming, TikTok and talking to girls, Bella said she was “so proud” of her little brother who’s favourite place to be was around his family.

The Sale Catholic College student loved school, particularly the hands-on classes.

Luke Smith, 20, piloted the light aircraft which crashed and killed the three cousins. Picture: Supplied

Each year, the family’s tradition was to gather together in Maffra to put up the Christmas lights.

Family members would listen to Christmas carols and take turns dressing up as Santa.

Dusty, Luke and Benny were described as having an “incredible bond”.

Benny Smith was also killed in the crash. Picture: Supplied

Mourners were encouraged to write a message to Dusty on a river pebble and throw it in the river, in an attempt to create Dusty Island.

The family thanked everyone who had helped in some way or another over the past two weeks, including the workers on their farm who had stepped up.

Dusty had a love of fishing from a young age. Picture: Supplied.

The service concluded with Dustin’s parents driving off in their old F-150, with Dustin’s coffin carried in the vehicle’s tray, with some of his siblings riding motorbikes behind them.

The family asked for donations to be made to the Little Jem Foundation, in lieu of flowers.

The Little Jem Foundation — created by Dusty’s parents after the sudden death of their daughter Jemma at eight days old — provides assistance to families in Gippsland who experience the sudden loss of a baby or child, whether during pregnancy, as a newborn, or as a young child.