Fire stations across South Australia lowered their flags to half-mast to pay respect to fallen volunteer firefighter Louise Hincks, as hundreds gathered for her funeral in Adelaide.
Ms Hincks was killed by a falling tree while she was battling a forest fire at Coles, near Lucindale, in South Australia's south-east last month.
The 44-year-old joined the Country Fire Service (CFS) 28 years ago as a teenager and became a much loved and respected member of the Happy Valley brigade, and was known to travel across the state to fight fires.
More than 600 family, friends and emergency services colleagues, including many in uniform, attended her funeral at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre where her husband, parents, brothers, daughters and colleagues paid tribute to Ms Hincks.
Speaking at the funeral, her mother Sue Brown said that in recent weeks she had been surprised and moved when she discovered how widespread her daughter's influence had been.
"We knew that she helped people, but we actually had no idea how far-reaching her positive impact on people's lives really was," Ms Brown said.
Two of her children, Addie and Alice Fleming, spoke of how they aspired to be like their mother.
"You helped and saved so many people," Addie Fleming said.
Her husband Lindsay Hincks, who also works in emergency services, spoke lovingly of his wife, and said he would have to adjust to life and work without her.
"As I respond when the pager goes off without you, it will be a new normal," he said.
"Louise, you showed me what love was all about, you made me laugh and everyday was a good day.
"I will miss you immensely."
Her brother Jonathan Brown also remembered her unwavering commitment to the service from a young age.
"We remember that bloody CFS pager going off at 2am in the morning and our sister rushing out the door, and though it woke us up, her passion for helping others infectious, and we forgave her the next morning," he said.
Fellow CFS volunteer Jim Keatch said Ms Hincks's community had been struggling to find words.
"Our pain is not only unbearable, but almost unspeakable."
CFS Chief Officer Mark Jones also presented Ms Hincks's daughters with two posthumous medals – the National Medal for 15 years of service and the National Emergency Medal with clasp for her service during the 2019-20 bushfires.
He said her sacrifice would not be forgotten.
Ms Hincks worked at Flinders University as a member of its health, counselling and disability services team and provided support to students and staff.
South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission (SAFECOM) health and wellbeing coordinator Jane Abdilla, who worked alongside Ms Hincks for many years, remembered her enormous contribution to mental health, particularly during the Sampson Flat, Pinery and 2019-20 fires.
"She was a firie at heart," she said.
Ms Hincks had earnt degrees in psychology and social work and used that knowledge to help with stress prevention and management of emergency responders.
Mr Jones said an investigation into the incident, which also seriously injured another man, was underway, with the hope lessons could be learnt.
