Hillcrest Community Public Fund has raised more than $1.5m for victims’ families

The Hillcrest Community Public Fund is continuing to receive a steady flow of donations three weeks after the tragedy as the last injured child leaves the Royal Hobart Hospital.

MORE than $1.5m has been raised so far for the families of the children who died in the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy, with donations continuing to flow “steadily”, the Devonport City Council says.

The council established the Hillcrest Community Public Fund in December, in partnership with MyState Bank and the Tasmanian government, two days after the tragedy occurred.

Zoe Smith, the creator of a GoFundMe page to raise money for the victims’ families, agreed to direct the $1.2 million from her campaign to the new public fund.

The council’s acting general manager Matthew Skirving said an additional $365,204 had been raised since the fund was established, bringing the total amount to just over $1.5m.

“The fund will continue for some time as we have been notified of major national corporate entities that are fundraising,” he said.

“An example of this is a proposed pre-season AFL match featuring Hawthorn and Richmond, to be played in Devonport.”

A representative of the Governor Barbara Baker with Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff. Picture: Jason Edwards

Six children aged 11 or 12 were killed after a freak gust of wind lifted a jumping castle and Zorb balls into the air at the Devonport school’s end of year event on December 16.

Mr Skirving said the council continued to collect tributes that were still being left at the makeshift memorial for the six children outside the school. Thousands of items were collected on New Year’s Eve and are being stored safely as the council works with the families and the school community to create a permanent memorial.

“Council will continue to monitor the (makeshift memorial) site and collect any items that are left,” Mr Skirving said. “These will be preserved along with the tributes that were previously collected.”

Premier Peter Gutwein said on Wednesday that the last child remaining in the Royal Hobart Hospital after being injured in the Hillcrest tragedy had returned home.

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Tributes to be preserved in permanent memorial

THE thousands of floral, written and toy tributes left to recognise the tragic deaths of six children at a Tasmanian school’s end-of-year celebration will be collected and preserved and a permanent memorial created.

The Hillcrest Primary School Grade 5-6 children were killed after the jumping castle and zorb balls on which they were playing were lifted 10m into the air by a freak gust of wind.

Devonport City Council general manager Matthew Atkins said families and the community were welcome to attend in quiet reflection while the collection takes place on Friday.

The large collection of flowers, cards and bears placed in tribute to the victims of the jumping castle tragedy at Hillcrest Primary School. Picture: Jason Edwards

A section of Lawrence Drive will be closed along the front of the school and parking will be available in Lovett St.

“Council will ensure these tributes are stored safely and will work with the family

members, and the Hillcrest school community, to create a permanent memorial for

the young lives that were taken too early,” Mr Atkins said.

“It is not known what this will be at this stage, but what is known is that it will be a

suitable place where our community can remember these precious children.”

Tributes included basketballs and other items popular with the victims. Picture: Jason Edwards

The tributes include floral arrangements, teddies, items treasured by the

children such as basketballs and PlayStation controllers, drawings, photographs and

heartfelt messages written in letters and on cards.

“Between now and 31 December, the memorial will be monitored each day and

any perishable items, such as flowers which are beginning to deteriorate, will be

sensitively removed,” Mr Atkins said.

“It is expected the community will continue to leave tributes near the school over the

coming weeks and council will continue to preserve the dignity of the existing tributes

and collect and preserve any other items left after December 31.

“A public condolence book has also been set up on the council’s website and all

messages will be given to the families and the Hillcrest community.

“We encourage anyone going through this difficult time, to reach out for help if you

need it, by contacting Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.”

Thousands of tributes have been left outside the school. Picture: Jason Edwards

Devonport City Council has a dedicated webpage where people can access the

public condolence book, make a donation to the Hillcrest Community Public Fund

and also seek the help they may need.