Hunter Valley locals have opened their homes and other accommodation to those touched by the wedding bus tragedy as communities rally around heartbroken families and friends.
Others have delivered cakes and biscuits to drop-in centres that are offering counselling and support to people impacted by one of Australia’s worst bus crashes.
With the road now reopened, police have established a reduced speed zone and safe pedestrian access for those who wish to lay wreaths or flowers at the Greta crash site.
But in a low act, police have warned of fake fundraisers that have popped up online purporting to be raising money for the victims’ families.
Fraudulent pages have been discovered circulating on GoFundMe.
NSW Police urged anyone wanting to make a donation to visit official charity sites, including a new fund being co-managed by the NSW government and Rotary.
Tweet from @nswpolice
On a visit to the area on Wednesday, NSW Premier Chris Minns urged people to donate through the official channels.
“We’re going to leave it up to Rotary and their governance processes to
distribute the funds. But we anticipate that the money will be used for funeral expenses for those who have passed, as well as ongoing support for, in particular, those two children who are left without parents as a result of this terrible, terrible tragedy,” he said.
‘If you want an appreciable and demonstrable way of helping in
this terrible, terrible tragedy, then go to the Rotary or the NSW government website and make, a much, much-appreciated donation to this wonderful community.”
He also paid tribute to the local AFL club, the Singleton Roosters, which has already raised $100,000. It was particularly affected by the crash, with many of those either players or coaches at the club.
“They’ve capped that donation. They’re telling supporters to go to the NSW government website or Rotary Australia to make further donations,” Mr Minns said.
“It’s an example of community spirit that a football club could set up that page in short order and distribute those funds to people who are really hurting.”
Mr Minns also announced a $100,000 donation from the premier’s discretionary fund, as well as laying a wreath on Wednesday.
Money raised is expected to help cover funeral costs and provide support for those affected by the tragedy.
“We’ve seen this community come together in unprecedented ways to lean on one another in a very difficult set of circumstances,” Mr Minns said.
“People have offered their own homes, their own accommodations, their hotels, their Airbnb to anyone who is visiting this community, to be with loved ones or to deal with the grief of losing somebody in their family.
“I think it’s indicative of how wonderful this local community is, and how close-knit they are,” he said.
Reverend Greg Barker from the Catholic diocese of Maitland and Newcastle said people should reach out if they needed help.
“There is still a subdued sense around the town,” he told ABC TV.
“The stiff upper lip we used to have, particularly for men, doesn’t work in our healing. The reality of the human condition is that we need help.”
The community of Singleton, in particular, is mourning after Sunday night’s crash claimed the lives of 10 mostly young people. Seven were local to the area and on their way home from the wedding reception.
Thirteen people remain in a stable condition in hospitals across the Hunter Valley and Sydney.
A junior doctor, a husband and wife and a mother and daughter were among those who died in the crash while returning from the wedding at the Wandin Estate Winery in Lovedale.
Among those linked to the AFL club were Nadene McBride, who coached the Singleton Roosterettes, and her 22-year-old daughter Kyah who played in the team.
Ms McBride’s boyfriend, Kane Symons, also died in the crash.
“There are no words to describe the grief our family is feeling at this time, which is why we would like to formally decline any requests for media interviews,” the McBride family said in a statement through NSW Police on Tuesday.
“We ask that the media respect our privacy while we grieve and process this tragedy as a family unit.”
Also killed were Singleton husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott who both played for Singleton Roosters teams. They were the parents of two children under five.
Tori Cowburn, who also died, was captain of The Roosterettes and also played netball, touch football, tennis and basketball.
Darcy Bulman, a 30-year-old investigator for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, travelled from Melbourne with her partner for the wedding celebrations.
Her life was also tragically cut short and her partner is believed to be among the injured.
Rebecca Mullen, a junior doctor and Singleton local working at Calvary Mater Newcastle hospital, was one of the younger victims unable to be saved.
Others who died were Zach Bray who was working as a mining engineer in the Hunter region and engineer Angus Craig who had worked with mining company BHP in Queensland.
The bus driver, Brett Button, 58, faced Cessnock Local Court on Tuesday charged with 10 counts of deadly dangerous driving.
Donations to support the families and injured can be made at rawcs.org.au.
– AAP
