Hillcrest commemoration: Hundreds gather to mourn six children who died in jumping castle tragedy

Grieving family members hugged and cried as they laid flowers inside a metal heart sculpture to remember the children they lost a year ago in the Hillcrest Primary School jumping castle tragedy.

People gather in Market Square for the One-Year Commemoration of the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy in Devonport. Thursday December 15th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

GRIEVING family members hugged and cried as they laid flowers inside a metal heart sculpture on Thursday to remember the children they had lost at what was meant to be a fun school break up.

Pictures of the six children who died one year ago were beamed on a big screen in Devonport’s Market Place Square as hundreds of people gathered to remember the tragedy and offer continuing support to those grieving and still haunted by the events of December 16, 2021.

Artwork painted by their classmates was also displayed as a near silent crowd reflected on the past 12 months in a city rocked to its core.

On December 16, 2021, emergency services rushed to Hillcrest Primary School’s end of year celebration after a jumping castle was thrust 10m into the air by a freak gust of wind.

Nine children were injured. Six — Peter Dodt, Jalailah Jayne-Marie Jones, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, Zane Mellor, and Chace Harrison — died from their injuries.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has called it one of the most tragic days in Tasmania’s history.

An inquest into what exactly happened that tragic day is expected to be held in the new year but no date has yet been set.

FamilyÕs lay Flowers and Toys to remember lost one in the Hillcrest tragedy in Market Square in Devonport. Thursday December 15th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

At the memorial service in Devonport, the families, politicians, emergency services personnel and members of the public left flowers at a heart-shaped sculpture in Devonport’s Market Place Square in recognition of the children, the pain that is still very evident in the community and the early healing under way.

FamilyÕs lay Flowers and Toys to remember lost one in the Hillcrest tragedy in Market Square in Devonport. Thursday December 15th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

The hundreds who filled the square were brought to early anger when anti-salmon farming protesters decided to hang a protest sign from the multi-storey car park on a day reserved for respectful grief.

The sign was soon removed.

Devonport Mayor Alison Jarman said the community gathering was in remembrance of a devastating day which would be “etched into our memory forever”.

“December 16, 2021 is the day our heart broke. It rocked our close-knit community,” she said.

Mr Rockliff said the loss of six cherished children sent shock waves through Devonport, Tasmania and the entire nation.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff at the One-Year Commemoration of the Hillcrest Primary School tragedy in Market Square Devonport. Picture: Grant Viney

Premier Jeremy Rockliff lays flowers in memory of the children lost in the Hillcrest tragedy. Picture: Grant Viney

He then read a message from Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“This is the hardest of anniversaries. Your community is in the hearts and minds of Australia as we remember six beautiful children,” Mr Albanese said in his tribute.

“It is the end of a hard year. Grief may one day soften but it does not fade.”

Respect was also given to the first responders who attended the school oval that awful day as well as the three injured children who will have to carry the memory of what happened for the rest of their lives.

Mr Rockliff said it was important to acknowledge that no matter how hard the community tried, it would never be able to truly walk in the shoes of those who have lost so much.

“Never forget your precious children and we walk beside you in your grief,” he said.

Mourners lay Flowers at the heart shaped sculpture in Market Square Devonport. Thursday December 15th 2022. Picture: Grant Viney

Hillcrest Primary School said the one-year anniversary was a challenging time for the school community.

“For those six families that lost their children to this tragedy, and for the families whose children suffered serious injuries, this will be a particularly hard time – our thoughts are with you,” the school said.

“We want to acknowledge the support of the broader Devonport community, our families, staff, colleagues, and friends who have all been deeply affected. It is our intention that the acknowledgment of the anniversary is managed as sensitively as possible, with the children, their families, and staff at the centre of our planning.”