12-year-old Stonehaven crash victim Mia Rossiter remembered at funeral

Mourners have paid tribute to the 12-year-old victim of a horror crash at Stonehaven.

Mia Rossiter, 12, from Lismore, was killed in Stonehaven, near Geelong., Picture: Supplied

Mia Rossiter “had the whole world ahead of her” until her life was tragically cut short when she was killed in a horror crash in Stonehaven.

The 12-year-old, from Lismore, was farewelled at a service at Barrabool Maze Estate on Wednesday, the day before her 13th birthday.

Friends and family wore shirts emblazoned with the names of their favourite bands, anime characters or basketball teams – “just as Mia would”.

Her coffin was decorated with images of cats and topped with a bouquet of flowers.

Mourners were given tubs of slime and Zooper Dooper icy poles.

MC Tenille Welsh said: “ (If) you received a yellow or orange one, Mia would be happy, they were the ones she didn’t like.”

Ms Welsh, who was wearing a Metallica T-shirt, said Mia was “unique and an individual.”

“Her interests reflected her personality, and her parents described her as an old soul.”

Mia’s father Paul Rossiter, who was injured in the January 3 smash with wife Danica and Mia’s half-sister Willow, 7, said Mia would have been “overwhelmed” by the number of mourners.

“She’d be hiding in the maze with her phone,” Mr Rossiter said.

He said the first time meeting his daughter was the “most nervous and exciting day” of his life.

“I finally got to meet my baby girl, but s--- she was huge,” Mr Rossiter said.

“Mum and dad were both so proud, we always enjoyed watching you mature and grow to the lovely lady you were.”

Mr Rossiter said Mia “lit up the room” and was “shy but very cheeky”.

“Mia was never too old or too cool to tell Dad she loved me, as long as (her) friends couldn’t hear,” he said.

“Missing you is now part of my daily routine, but it is a routine I’ll never get used to.”

Mr Rossiter said Mia had been looking forward to having her nose pierced for her 13th birthday, a wish granted posthumously before the service.

He said the pair were set to attend a show by US pop star Melanie Martinez as part of celebrations.

He said he enjoyed doing things that were out of his comfort zone to make his daughter happy.

“Last year we got to go to ComicCon,” he said.

“I wasn’t very excited at first because it’s not sort of my cup of tea, but the satisfaction on your beautiful face made my whole day.”

Mr Rossiter told stories of Mia’s interests, including arts and crafts, playing the drums and listening to music.

He also recalled some of the “random” things the pair used to do together, including attending sporting matches and taking fishing charters.

“She loved her friends dearly,” Mr Rossiter said.

“We appreciate the time they spent in her life.

“Mia had the whole world ahead of her, she loved helping people.”

“Love you forever, fly high my darling, forever 12.”

Jordan Kenyon, 28, was arrested over the January 3 crash and charged with breach of parole, driving while suspended, dangerous driving causing death and four counts of dangerous driving causing serious injury.

He is expected to face court again at a later date.

Originally published as 12-year-old Stonehaven crash victim Mia Rossiter remembered at funeral