Community consultation is continuing about a one-year commemoration event to mark the Hillcrest tragedy that rocked Devonport to its core and all of Tasmania.
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"We're discussing how to mark the anniversary and will consult a lot further before it takes shape, and we know what form it will take," Hillcrest Affected Area Recovery Committee chairperson Lauchie Avery said.
The HAARC was formed as a point of contact for the Devonport and wider North-West community after six children died and a further three were seriously injured at Hillcrest Primary School's end of year celebrations on December 16, 2021.
The devastating incident happened on the last day of school when a gust of wind launched an inflatable jumping castle into the air.
State Recovery Advisor Craig Limkin said the HAARC is working with the community to ensure appropriate support services are in place and to tailor recovery to meet the needs of the community.
"This includes collecting suggestions for a one-year commemoration event," he said.
Retired Western District police commander Mr Avery said it is essential to get it right for the families and the community.
"We're still in discussions trying to grapple with what form the anniversary should take without triggering some negative reactions," he said.
"Funding is available for a memorial, but what it will be and what the community is happy with is something we need to be mindful of and tread delicately to ensure those directly affected are comfortable with it."
Mr Avery said the committee launched a survey this week to see how people were coping and was reaching out across the community through as many formats as possible to hear from people ahead of the anniversary.
He said the community consultation would help to decide whether there is a physical memorial or a different form of commemoration.
"We're asking people's opinions to get the right balance. To ensure it doesn't adversely affect anyone and brings positivity rather than negativity," Mr Avery said.
He said the committee knows that observing the anniversary will be important to those directly affected and the community.
"The committee recognises it's going to be a significant day," he said.
"We're mindful of not getting it wrong and causing more angst to people."
He said much thought was going into the matter, including that it was close to Christmas and that children should positively finish the school year.
"There's a lot of factors to be taken into account and what's most important to consider is the families," Mr Avery said.
Being called to chair the committee, he knew it would not be an easy task.
However, Mr Avery said having a deep love for the area; he felt if he could help the community, he would.
"We've got good people on the committee," he said.
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"We're trying to find as many ways as possible of contacting the community to see how we can assist in the community recovery area.
"The survey is another way, and there's a website where people can comment.
"We're discussing a series of other activities to reach out to as many community members to identify what gaps there are to help people recover.
"We're trying to assess how well the community is dealing with the tragedy as the anniversary approaches and try not to upset those directly affected.
"Some people are good at embracing social media; others want direct contact, and others might need a different form of support.
"People can access counselling in whichever form they want to receive it, and they just need to reach out.
"If we can find ways of making it easier for people to reach out, that might be another approach we need to examine."
Mr Limkin said organiser Zoe Smith's legal representatives had managed the distribution of the funds raised through the GoFundMe.
He said the Hillcrest Community Public Fund was established by the State Government with support from Devonport City Council and is separate from the GoFundMe money.
"The HCPF has been closed to allow distribution of the funds. The majority of the Public Fund has been shared between the directly affected families," Mr Limkin said.
To complete the HAARC survey online, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/haarcsurvey or collect a paper copy from the council's customer service team on level two at the paranaple centre.
The survey closes October 21.
What do you think? Have your say by sending us a Letter to the Editor using the form below.
Libby Bingham
The Advocate reporter in Devonport. Contact Libby at 0447176804 or libby.bingham@austcommunitymedia.com.au
The Advocate reporter in Devonport. Contact Libby at 0447176804 or libby.bingham@austcommunitymedia.com.au
