‘She will be deeply missed’: Family and friends’ post tributes to midwife Rachel Wake

The daughter of Hobart midwife Rachel Wake, who was allegedly murdered on Christmas Day, has posted a moving message to her mum as a fundraiser passes $85,000.

A FUNDRAISER for the two children of Hobart midwife Rachel Wake, who was allegedly murdered on Christmas Day, has now raised more than $85,000.

Ms Wake’s daughter Romany has also set up a Facebook page dedicated to her mother’s memory.

The Rachel’s Voice page provides an opportunity for mourners to post condolences and memories of the popular nurse.

Ms Wake’s employer, obstetrics, gynaecology and women’s health clinic TasOGS, has also provided further information about Ms Wake’s career.

The TasOGS bio explains that Ms Wake always wanted to be a midwife from a young age, working on the paediatric ward of the Royal Hobart Hospital before training as a midwife in 1995.

Rachel Wake was allegedly murdered on Christmas Day. Picture: Facebook

Ms Wake spent time in the Australian Army Reserves as a nursing officer before working remotely in Central Australia, then working at Hobart Private Hospital upon her return to Hobart.

The bio also describes Ms Wake as enjoying gardening, walking her dog Mitzy, and having picked up a fresh love for adventure with abseiling, skydiving and kayaking.

The GoFundMe page set up by Ms Wake’s colleague Hannah Chapman aims to raise $100,000 and has so far attracted 1000 donations.

‘She will be so deeply missed’

TRIBUTES have continued to flow for beloved Hobart nurse, midwife and mother Rachel Wake, who was allegedly murdered on Christmas Day.

A GoFundMe page for the 52-year-old has raised nearly $70,000 from 781 donations after being online for just 24 hours, while Ms Wake’s friends, employer and patients have taken to social media to express their grief.

Meanwhile, 60-year-old Darren Mark Wake – accused of murdering Ms Wake – appeared again in the Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday, but again did not enter a plea to the singular charge.

On Saturday, after the alleged incident, Ms Wake’s daughter Romany also took to Facebook to speak of her grief and the loving relationship they’d shared.

“Dear mum. I love you, and I miss you dearly. I wish we could have spent more time roller skating, rock climbing, and going to local theatre and screaming songs in our late night shopping runs,” Romany said.

“I wish our last hug was one bit tighter.”

Hobart nurse and midwife Rachel Wake. Picture: Facebook

Ms Wake’s employer, Tasmanian Obstetrics & Gynaecology Specialists, posted on Facebook to share its “deepest sympathies” to her loved ones, adding “she will be so deeply missed”.

“We send our love and condolences to all who knew and loved Rachel,” the post read.

“Rachel was a much-loved new member of our TasOGS team in 2021. For some of our team, Rachel had been a colleague in the hospital for many years.

“Rachel loved life. She sparked joy with her passion for women and birthing, and she radiated love when she spoke of her loved ones.”

An outpouring of emotion has also continued to flow from the women who Ms Wake helped in the birthing process.

“I’m heartbroken. Rachel helped deliver my daughter (like many others) and was such a rock for my husband and I when we were in the Hobart Private Hospital (as our daughter was quite sick after birth),” one woman posted on social media.

“All these years later, I still think of her. That’s just the impact she had on people.”

Other women have expressed how Ms Wake helped them through difficult births, premature deliveries and miscarriages.

“There are few people in this world that you meet and leave a lasting impression, Rachel was one of them,” one woman said.

TasOGS GP and colleague Hannah Chapman, who has organised the fundraiser, described Ms Wake as a “popular and caring midwife”, a loyal friend to many, and a loving mother to her teenage children, Romany and Gabriel.

“She was committed to her work, passionate about caring for other women at their most vulnerable moments,” she posted.

Mr Wake, of Hobart, appeared in court before Magistrate Michael Daly on Monday.

He again did not enter a plea, and was advised he could only apply for bail in the Supreme Court of Tasmania.

Mr Wake was remanded in custody to reappear before Mr Daly via video link on February 28.

Tasmania Police previously said they were called to a stabbing incident at Mornington about 1.30pm on Christmas Day.

Ms Wake was rushed to Royal Hobart Hospital, but she died a short time later.

‘Devastating’: Shock and grief at midwife’s death

A MAN has briefly fronted court charged with murder after the death of a 52-year-old woman on Christmas Day.

Darren Mark Wake, 60, did not enter a plea when he appeared in the Hobart Magistrates Court in an out-of-hours session on Sunday.

The Hobart resident did not apply for bail, and will be remanded in custody overnight before reappearing in court on Monday.

Meanwhile, friends of the deceased woman have set up a GoFundMe page, which has so far raised $30,350 for her “children to help rebuild their young lives”.

The page identifies the woman as Hobart nurse and midwife Rachel Wake.

Tasmania Police previously said she was allegedly stabbed in a house on Binalong Road, Mornington, on Saturday afternoon, suffering injuries to her upper body.

Ms Wake was rushed to the Royal Hobart Hospital, but died a short time later.

Two teenagers were present at the house during the incident, police previously said.

Hobart nurse and midwife Rachel Wake died on Christmas Day. Picture: Facebook

GP Hannah Chapman, who set up the GoFundMe page, described the incident as “devastating”.

“Tragically the life of a beautiful woman was taken in Hobart on Christmas Day. She was a registered nurse and midwife, who cared for other women and helped many lives safely into this world,” she said on the page.

“Her teenage children have experienced a great trauma and a huge loss. This devastating incident will upset many.”

Other friends of Ms Wake have also taken to the GoFundMe page and social media to express their grief.

“The kindest soul and most beautiful midwife. You will be missed,” one woman said.

“Rachel delivered my first baby nearly 11 years ago and cared for me again with my second. This is just devastating,” another posted.

Others took to Facebook to express their sadness.

“Rachel Wake you were an amazing supporting person who loved to help people and loved your beautiful children more than anything in this world. You will leave a hole in many people’s lives and hearts. My thoughts are with your kids,” one woman said.

Tasmania Police has appealed for any witnesses or people with information to

contact police 131 444 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000.

Follow @ambervwilson