By Cassandra Morgan and Alex Crowe
Jack Davey was the kid everyone wanted on their team. From coach to child, from footy to futsal, he was picked for his talent and because he showed kindness beyond his 11 years.
“[Even] if they were versing him, they would find it fun,” his classmate Alexandra Tossoun says. “He’s not of those people that go, ‘We didn’t win – guys, that’s all your fault’.”
Jack Davey, 11, was killed when a car careered into his schoolyard.
On Wednesday, Auburn South Primary schoolmates wrote messages for their lost friend, a kid who loved football and puppies and creative time in class.
Alexandra said Jack, who died after an SUV ploughed through his primary school’s fence and into his group of friends, was “very kind-hearted”.
Jack Davey, 11, was a keen sportsman.
“He would run to some of his friends, and even … people who he didn’t really know if they looked sad or anything. He would go up to them and make sure they’re OK.
“Everybody adored him.”
Jack, a year 5 student, had been enjoying afternoon recess with his friends at a table at the school when the car ploughed through the fence and into them about 2.30pm Tuesday. Four other children – three girls and one boy – were injured and remain in hospital.
Soccer balls covered in handwritten messages were laid among flowers outside the Hawthorn East school, which was declared a crime scene.
Jack’s shattered parents, Michael and Jayde, and his younger twin sisters visited the school on Wednesday.
His father was carrying Jack’s school bag, while his mother and two sisters collected some of the soccer balls to take home with them.
Jack Davey’s parents, Michael and Jayde, and his sisters look at the tributes and flowers left at Auburn South Primary School on Wednesday.Credit: Nine News
The messages on the soccer balls had a common theme: a sorrowful and resounding sense of love for Jack, remembered as “forever 11”.
“I love you so much. Say hi to Pappy for all us cousins,” read one signed Millo.
Another read: “I loved the memories we have together. Family Christmas, playing soccer, jumping in the pool and chasing Maggie around the yard.
“Rest easy buddy.”
Tributes left for Jack Davey outside Auburn South Primary School.Credit: Eddie Jim
Jack’s grandmother was seen being comforted outside the school on Wednesday, Nine reported.
The alleged driver, a 40-year-old Hawthorn East mother, was arrested at the scene and released pending further inquiries.
Police said the woman was doing a U-turn after she picked her child up, when her car veered off Burgess Street and into the outdoor table where at least five children were sitting.
Jack suffered critical injuries and died on the way to hospital. Two 11-year-old girls, a 10-year-old girl and a 10-year-old boy were also taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Late on Wednesday evening, two of the children were in the Royal Children’s Hospital, one was at Monash Medical Centre and another was at Dandenong Hospital – all in a stable condition.
Sporting clubs also paid tribute to Jack, with Glen Iris Junior Football Club – where he played with the under-11s – issuing a statement to say its thoughts were with all families involved.
“Auburn South Primary School is a significant part of our Glen Iris Junior Football Club community and we are devastated and deeply saddened by yesterday’s events,” club president Dave Barnaby said.
Australian Futsal Melbourne said Jack was a treasured player in its Bialik Futsal Club, and played at a national level.
Jack Davey playing Futsal.
“He was part of the club since he was with its under-8s, and earned a place earlier this year in the under-12s team that visited Fiji. His talent shone brightly as he represented our state at the national titles for the past two years,” the club said.
“The Australian Futsal Association extends its heartfelt condolences and love to Jack’s family, especially his parents, Michael and Jayde and siblings, during this incredibly difficult time
“Rest peacefully, sweet Jack. You will forever hold a special place in our hearts.”
Jack also played for the Titans Junior Basketball Club. Lucy Pristel, whose son also played on the team, said Jack’s father was the coach and gave every player one-on-one lessons over the school holidays.
“They’re just probably one of the most beautiful families you’ll ever know,” she said.
Pristel started a fundraiser for the Davey family. The City of Boroondara council is also setting up a community hub to support people grieving Jack’s death.
Auburn South Primary School principal Marcus Wicher on Wednesday morning shared the school’s sympathy for Jack’s family and friends, along with the surviving students.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Education Minister Ben Carroll said 25 teachers from neighbouring schools were at Auburn South Primary to support the school community, along with chaplaincy and counselling services.
Carroll and Allan spoke to Wicher on Tuesday night, not long after the principal spoke to Jack’s mother.
“It was a really tough conversation for the principal. And he relayed to Ben and I just how strong the family is in the toughest of times,” Allan said.
“He really did convey his appreciation for the messages of support that have already been coming into the school community.”
On Wednesday, children who knew Jack came together to remember him as the respectful, sporty and funny boy who loved creative time in class.
Their parents were holding them close, and supporting them to process such a traumatic event.
Alexandra said: “It’s really important that we look after each other during the time we have here because it’s not going to be very long.
“I know that everybody will miss him very much.”
With Marta Pascual Juanola, Lachlan Abbott and Rachel Eddie
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