Community in mourning after two-year-old Ruby found dead in dam on western Qld property in Tara

The two-year-old girl, last seen playing with a dog, was found dead in a dam after more than 100 people mobilised in a desperate search attempt.

Ruby Gulliver, 2 from Taro was found submerged in a dam – just 70m from the homestead of the large property – some time after midnight. Picture Facebook

The family of a young girl found dead in a dam on a property in western Queensland have remembered the toddler as a “special little girl”.

Two-year-old Ruby Gulliver was last seen playing with a dog near a house on a 1500 hectare property in Tara, 300km west of Brisbane about 3pm on Monday afternoon.

When her mother noticed she was missing, friends, family and neighbours immediately launched a search effort. Police, the State Emergency Services and other emergency services arrived shortly and were later joined by Polair, police dogs and police divers.

Ruby’s body was recovered from a dam, 70 metres from the home, about 1am on Tuesday morning.

Police divers found the body of two-year-old Ruby Gulliver around 1am on Tuesday morning. Picture: Police Media

Police said there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding her death.

In a statement to 7 News, Ruby’s father Trent said his daughter was “always smiling and laughing.”

“You could not have asked for (a) better child,” he said.

“She was full of energy, smiling and laughing.”

Her aunt, Alisha Manning, said in a social media post Ruby was a “beautiful little girl”.

“Words can not explain how heartbroken I am right now – such a beautiful little girl taken from us way too soon,” she wrote.

“I love you so much and I miss you like crazy … I keep thinking this is not real and it’s all a dream but it’s not.

“I will look after your mum and dad and little sister. Fly high baby girl, you grew your wings way too early.”

Search and Rescue co-ordinator Inspector Terry McCullough praised the community for their efforts in trying to find Ruby.

“Immediately the friends and neighbours started searching,” he said.

“There were well in excess of 100 (people involved in the search effort).

“This is obviously extremely sad news for everyone involved, and our condolences go to the family and community at large. They’re very close knit.”

Inspector Terry McCollough said Ruby’s death was a timely reminder of the importance of supervision around dams. Picture: Contributed

Inspector McCullough said it was a timely reminder for parents to “closely supervise” children around open bodies of water.

“Clearly it’s of great concern when a child so young goes missing in rural scub areas where there is bodies of water, like farm dams,” he said.

“This is a really tragic thing, but it’s not the first time it’s happened.

“There are bodies of water that aren’t secure, (you have to) be extra vigilant with small children.”

A report will be prepared for the coroner.