Monique Ryan (Kooyong, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On 29 October a tragic car accident caused the death of an 11-year-old boy and injuries to four other students from the Auburn South Primary School. On behalf of the Kooyong community I mark our sadness at the loss of Jack Davey and the injuries to those other innocent children. I mark our gratitude to the school staff, particularly to its principal, Marcus Wicher, and the staff member, Millie, who stayed with Jack throughout. I thank the policeman, the paramedics and the state education department. The school's staff and students have received hundreds of messages from other schools. People have come from everywhere to help.

Last Tuesday was a sunny day in Melbourne. Parents dropped their kids off at school, kissed them goodbye and drove or walked away without further thought. But by the end of the day things have changed. We held our children tighter and we held them with grief. We knew that life is fragile, unpredictable and fleeting.

Jack loved football. He barracked for the Demons. He played basketball for the Titans and footy for the Gladiators. He was in a futsal team with other kids in his class. He was a beautiful boy and he is gone too soon. On behalf of all the Kooyong community I send our love and our sympathy to Jack's parents, Michael and Jayde, and to his sisters. We will always keep Jack Davey in our hearts, and our community will be there for them always.