By Kyra Gillespie
Tributes flow for Pakenham teenager Laa Chol, whose life was tragically cut short over the weekend when a party in Melbourne’s CBD spiralled out of control.
The 19-year-old former Pakenham Secondary College student was staying at EQ Tower in the city with a group of friends when a second group arrived at their unit and a fight broke out in the early hours of Saturday 21 July, leaving Laa with fatal injuries.
Paramedics attempted to save her, but she died at the scene just after 5am.
Heartbroken community members have reached out to pay tribute to Laa and celebrate her life.
“A young life cut short in tragic ways or other affects us all. Thank you for the opportunity to pay tribute to a much loved, beautiful and promising young woman,” Pakenham Uniting Church Reverend Ann Simons told the Gazette.
Laa grew up in Kenya and moved to Australia in 2005.
The young woman was South Sudanese and her parents came from the smaller Chollo and Anyauk tribes.
Laa completed her VCE at Pakenham Secondary College, where she is fondly remembered for her determination and commitment to her dream of becoming a lawyer.
“Laa Chol completed her final year of VCE at our college in 2015,” principal Ray Squires said.
“We remember her as always having a big happy smile and being a confident and determined student.
“We are deeply saddened by the news. Our sincere condolences to her family on the immeasurable loss suffered. We have them in our thoughts.”
Former teachers said Laa used stay back long after the school bell rang at the end of the day to study for her exams.
She was a second year legal studies student at Deakin University before she died.
Her sudden passing has sent shock waves through the Pakenham Uniting Church community, where the Chol family attend weekly.
“The Pakenham Uniting Church congregation was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of Laa and wish to extend our deep condolences to her family and friends,” Reve Ann Simons continued.
“Her unnecessary and tragic death has strengthened our church commitment to continue working compassionately and intentionally within the South Sudanese community here in Pakenham especially among the young people.
“We have come to realise that restoring wholeness to a people who have suffered greatly takes time and love and compassion rather than unhelpful negative input. We have the love and compassion and will continue to give and share as we prayerfully uphold the Chol family during this difficult time.
“I would like to commend the South Sudanese community for the amazing way they have gathered from far and wide to support this family.”
Riak Kirr, a part time Sudanese Community Development Worker at the church and neighbour to the Chol family said hundreds of Laa’s family and friends have visited the Pakenham home in the last few days to pay tribute to the young student.
He said a busload of loved ones even made the four hour-plus journey from Shepparton, where Laa used to live, to pay their respects.
When she wasn’t studying, Laa sang in a choir, worked and was also part of Skye United FC’s senior women’s team where she was described as an “integral” team member.
“Laa was an integral part of our women’s team since joining in March this year,” the club said in a touching statement.
“All our love, thoughts and prayers go out to Laa’s family, friends and teammates.”
Hundreds of tributes continue to stream through on social media in memory of Laa.
“The pain we are feeling right now it’s immeasurable, to lose a beautiful soul like yours at such a young age is unbearable,” Marwa Gamal wrote in an open letter on Facebook.
“You were like a sister to me… now my heart is in two,” another friend wrote.
Police arrested and charged a 17-year-old male from Sunshine North on Monday 23 July and he has since been charged with Laa’s murder.
He has been remanded in custody and will appear at a Children’s Court on Tuesday 24 July.
