Memorial Approved for Children Lost in Hillcrest Jumping Castle Tragedy
A permanent memorial, featuring six pillars surrounded by wildflowers, has been approved by the Devonport City Council in Tasmania. It will honor the six children who tragically died in the 2021 jumping castle accident at Hillcrest Primary School. The memorial will be located on the foreshore of a beach in Devonport.
Remembering the Victims
The memorial commemorates the lives of Chace Harrison, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, Zane Mellor, Addison Stewart, Jye Sheehan, and Peter Dodt, who lost their lives in the December 2021 incident. The children were participating in end-of-year celebrations when a sudden wind gust lifted the jumping castle, causing the tragic accident that also injured three other students.
A Place for Reflection and Remembrance
According to Devonport councillor Gerard Enniss, the memorial is intended to be a joyous space, celebrating life while providing a place for reflection. "It will be joyous, full of life. It will be available for activity and reflection - a space that we should be privileged to have to serve as something we all should remember," he stated during a council meeting. The design was a collaborative effort with the families of the deceased children.
Memorial Design and Features
- Stone Seating: A quiet area for reflection at the entrance.
- Sculptural Pillars: Six pillars, each customized with messages or quotes from the families.
- Etched Names: The names of the six children will be etched in their own handwriting at the base of each pillar.
- Memorial Garden: Features local and Australian native plants suitable for the climate.
- Floral Tributes: Flowers from the temporary memorial will be spread in the garden during the official opening.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings and Search for Accountability
While the memorial provides a space for healing, the legal proceedings surrounding the incident continue. Rosemary Gamble, the jumping castle's operator, was found not guilty of criminal workplace breaches in June. However, families have launched a class action lawsuit against the state government and Ms Gamble, seeking accountability for the tragedy. An inquest into the incident has been put on hold pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
"There's a profound gap between what we know to be true and between what the system is willing to recognise," - Georgie Burt, mother of Zane Mellor.
Zane Mellor's mother, Georgie Burt, has pledged to continue fighting for accountability, highlighting the ongoing struggle for answers and justice.
Support Resources
If you or someone you know needs support, please reach out to the following resources:
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
