By Bonny Burrows
Friends and family of Longwarry crash victim Georgia Rose Larsen have united in their grief to ensure the bubbly 15-year-old is remembered for her full life, not her tragic death.
Georgia, who died in hospital on 21 February after the car she was travelling in hit a tree in Longwarry, was farewelled on 2 March at the Bunurong Memorial Park.
Following the service, friends, family and colleagues gathered for a celebration of her life at Cranbourne Racing Club.
Attendees were asked to wear something comfortable, “as you know Georgia would want”; while her sisters joked that fake tan was compulsory, as it was somewhat part of Georgia’s uniform.
Born on 25 July 2002, Georgia was the youngest daughter of Shannon and Tracey, and much-loved little sister of Maddie and Molly of Garfield.
A well-known and respected member of the Garfield and Drouin communities, Georgia attended Garfield Primary and Drouin Secondary College.
On the weekends she could be found on the netball court, playing for either Garfield or Cora Lynn, or at Drouin McDonald’s, where she was a valued team member.
Those who knew Georgia said she was friendly and full of life, and taken way too soon.
Her Drouin Secondary College classmates described her as “vivacious, sparkly and enthusiastic,” while her sisters said she was “just beautiful”.
“Georgia was our baby sister, just as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside,” Maddie and Molly said.
“We can’t wait to see her in heaven and protect her so nobody will hurt her again.”
Georgia’s grandparents described Georgia as “an angel on Earth as she is now in Heaven”.
Georgia’s death was not only felt by her family, but by the much-wider community.
The Pakenham Netball Association, reeling from its loss of a popular past player, donned black armbands during 22 and 23 February games in Georgia’s memory.
“She will be sadly missed by all,” Pakenham Power director of coaching Travis Pretty said.
Brodie Wyatt of the Drouin McDonalds said the restaurant and community had lost “a beautiful young girl”.
“Anyone who knew Georgia would agree that her bubbly smile and personality was contagious. She would light up any room she walked into,” Mr Wyatt said.
“Georgia will be dearly missed by all and we send our condolences to her much-beloved family and friends.”
While acknowledging nothing would fill the hole left by Georgia’s passing, Mr Wyatt and friend Sky Kolar, on behalf of Georgia’s school and work, started a GoFundMe.com fund-raising in the days following Georgia’s death in the hope of easing some of the pressures faced by the Larsen family.
“All funds raised will go directly to the Larsen family where they can spend the money as they wish,” the pair said.
The fund-raiser for the Larsen family can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/support-the-larsen-family.
