MULLUMBIMBY: A small town in northern New South Wales was in mourning yesterday after laying to rest one of its children, fatally injured in a schoolyard brawl a week ago.
Jai Morcom, 15, was farewelled at a public ceremony in Mullumbimby's Heritage Park, one of his favourite haunts.
More than 1000 people gathered for the service, which included haunting Maori farewells and hakas and an Aboriginal smoking ceremony.
His sister Kyra and his uncle Paul Drummond, who travelled from New Zealand, spoke of a boy who wanted to be a chef. Kyra Morcom broke down after a short tribute and embraced her brother's coffin, painted bright green.
At the end of the service, Jai's family released a flock of white homing pigeons and his friends set free bright multi-coloured balloons.
Jai's father Steve Drummond thanked the community for uniting in love and joining with his son's extended family and the close friends he had left behind.
"I have been to a journey this week to hell and back," he said. "But the one thing I do know is that his spirit is safe.
"Rest in peace, my boy."
Drummond also called on the community to help his son's friends cope with their loss.
"Jai would love to know this community, which has come together throughout this whole thing, will look after those children and nurture them."
In the past week the town has become known as a place where a young boy lost his life after a violent lunchtime brawl. However, police say it is still too early to decide whether or not anyone will face charges.
"There are some more specific [autopsy] tests that are being conducted and until we get those we will not know what the cause of death was," said Inspector Owen King.
- AAP
Farewell to brawl victim
Jai Morcom
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