- Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story may contain images of deceased persons.
MOTHER and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride have been remembered as "firecrackers" who grew their family with every connection they made and shared a smile that lit up any room.
Graham McBride, known as 'Banger', shared a heart-wrenching tribute to his inseparable "girls" during a funeral service on Monday at the homeground of their beloved Roosters AFL club in Singleton.
"Nads and Kyah shared a smile that would light up the room," he said.
"Nadene was my soulmate, my friend, my boss, by supervisor, my wife, and the only person that could keep me in line. She was honest, sometimes brutally honest, however, she was with a kind heart.
"She had so much love to give and gave it freely to anyone who needed it."
Kyah, born in Kalgoorlie in 2000, was a protector, looked up to by others, and like her mother, "a collector of those who needed a family".
"She loved to socialise, was loud, and the life of the party," Banger said.
"Kyah was the party, and was always up for a song and a boogie at the drop of a hat."
Banger reflected that Kyah was a bit like her birthplace - "hard and tough with an abundance of good stuff inside".
He said he thought he wanted six boys, but he got all that in one Kyah.
Kyah and her mother Nadene, 52, lost their lives in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy, which injured Banger as well.
"As I move forward from this monumental day, every step I take on this path to recovery is to honour my girls," Banger said.
"Nads and Kyah have kicked so many goals in their life, now it's time we continue to kick goals for Nads and Kyah."
Banger and Nadene grew up in South Australia and were "bloody good mates" before reconnecting and marrying in 1997.
They lived and travelled different parts of Australia before moving to Singleton more than a decade ago.
Speakers at the service paid tribute to Nadene and Kyah as being full of grit and determination, but fun-loving and with the kindest of hearts.
Their funeral was held at Rose Point Park, under a brilliant blue sky, out on the AFL fields where Kyah and Nadene shone and lived their passion for footy and community.
Nadene was heavily involved in the club, having coached the women's Roosterettes side and been president of the club.
Kyah was also a valued member of the Roosters family, and was remembered as a gifted player, valued teammate, and strong leader.
The Singleton Roosters' Alex Tigani shared memories of Nadene and Kyah after taking on a new job at the Singleton Argus newspaper in 2018.
He detailed the significant achievements of both women in AFL, but remembered them off the field as well.
"Nads you were more than a coach, president, mentor and psychologist for the Singleton Roosters AFL club, you were our mother," he said.
He paid tribute to Kyah's partner Kane Symons, known in the footy club as 'Sugar', who was also killed in the bus crash.
Childhood memories of Nadene, the sixth of seven children, were shared by her little sister Leoni.
"Fifty-two years of loving you just isn't enough," she said.
Another of Nadene's sisters, Helen, said Kyah brought the family so much joy when she came along.
"She gave everything to what she was doing and would not give in, or give up," she said.
She told of the diesel electrician's sensational confidence and wicked sense of humour.
Kyah's best friend was also among those who gave heartfelt tributes to the mother and daughter.
A crowd of thousands gathered to celebrate their lives, donning the colours of the Roosters and the Adelaide Crows AFL clubs, before they were farewelled with a guard of honour.
White doves were released in the sky over Singleton to mark each of the 10 lives lost in the bus crash at Greta on June 11.
Banger thanked emergency service workers for saving lives and doing their best under such horrific circumstances that night, and thanked everyone who was part of the health response in the aftermath.
"I'd like to give a heartfelt thank you to the first responders who were confronted with an unimaginable scene that night. If it was not for those responders, I would not be here today," Banger said.
"Now is the time to say goodbye to my girls, and the others who passed in this tragedy.
"Lastly, to you, the community, those in Singleton and beyond, the love and generosity ... is indescribable."
July 11 will mark one month since the Hunter Valley crash, which killed 10 wedding guests and injured 25 others when a bus rolled on Wine Country Drive as it travelled between Wandin Estate and Singleton.
The final goodbye to Kyah and Nadene comes after funerals were already held for seven of the victims.
Angus Craig was remembered during a service on the south coast as a caring brother, loving partner and goofy friend, with his loss leaving a trail of broken hearts.
Dr Rebecca Mullen's funeral was held in Singleton. She was captain of Hunter Valley Grammar School in 2015, and a public post described her as a talented sportswoman and scholar remembered for her "kindness, warmth, and compassionate leadership".
Andrew and Lynan Scott, also deeply loved members of the Singleton Roosters, were farewelled in a private service, with one friend posting that she hoped their "beautiful qualities" would live on in their young boys.
Kane Symons was remembered during a South Hobart funeral as a free-spirited surfer boy who was a friend to all, with his golden locks and infectious smile.
Loved ones gathered in Sydney to celebrate the life of Zach Bray, a bowel cancer survivor and "truly beautiful soul".
Singleton woman and Roosterette captain Tori Cowburn was remembered on Friday as a precious and deeply loved member of her family, cherished partner, talented sportswoman, and a fun-loving friend to all.
The details of Darcy Bulman's funeral have been kept private.
Support for those affected has flooded in since the devastating crash, with Rotary's Hunter Valley fund raising more than $1 million.
The money, which is already being rolled out, is supporting survivors, the families of those who died, and four "traumatised" wedding guests who were in a car following the bus and helped save lives at the confronting scene.
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