Hundreds of people gathered at an emotional candlelight vigil on Wednesday, April 26 for the five victims of the horrific crash on the Murray Valley Hwy near Strathmerton last week.
Emergency workers were among the mourners who gathered at Federation Park in Cobram to remember Debbie Markey and four workers from overseas — whose names have not been released — as well as Miss Sofie, Ms Markey’s dog.
The five people died when a Mercedes sedan collided with the Nissan Navara they were travelling in, forcing them into the path of an oncoming truck in an incident which police described as ‘catastrophic’.
Ms Markey’s daughter Tammy Anstis held back tears as she spoke in front of the congregation, telling the crowd how kind her mother was.
Ms Anstis described her mother as “my best friend” and a “child of God”.
She said her fondest memory of her mother was her acceptance of her sexuality.
“My mum was a Christian woman, and when I came out to my mum about my sexuality, and told her that I was confused, she stood by me no matter what. And she even made her profile picture on Facebook, the pansexual flag,” she said.
She thanked the community for its overwhelming support.
Cobram's Lynny Wise knew Ms Markey personally and was at the event alongside her sister Jenny Long and daughter Deb Way.
Ms Wise said that Ms Markey would “go out of her way to help anyone” and that she couldn’t get over the tragic loss.
“I can’t sleep at night time because I can see Debbie, and the truck driver,” she said.
The memorial involved the signing of condolence books as well as the playing of several songs including Lean on Me, Keep Holding On, See You Again.
In the final song of the vigil, Cover me in sunshine by Pink, the congregation raised their candles into the air in solidarity and remembrance as Ms Anstis, broke down in tears.
Event organiser Megan Stillard said news of the accident shocked her to the core.
“I was horrified, there are almost no words about how devastating that is to happen to anyone,” she said.
Ms Stillard said she decided to help organise the vigil after seeing how devastated the local community was.
“Realising how profoundly affected people were about the accident I thought it best to bring the community together,” she said.
Ms Stillard said she hoped the vigil showed the family members of the five who died that they had the community’s support.
Ms Stillard didn’t know Ms Markey, but she said so many people in the region had been touched by her “wonderful and caring nature”.
“She was known around the community and people keep saying she was always smiling and full of joy and always trying to help people out. In regard to the international workers, she really took them in and treated them as family,” Ms Stillard said.
Senior Sergeant Nathan Ratcliffe of Cobram police said the deaths of the five individuals had impacted the community significantly and that no-one wanted to see anyone perish on the local roads.
Moira Shire Council independent administrator John Tanner said the crash had had a ripple effect and that there was little to match the experience of grief in a small community.
“Therefore, on behalf of the council and all the shire’s residents I express my deepest sympathy and sincere condolences to the families and friends who have lost loved ones, or those who have been touched by this tragic event,” he said.
Mr Tanner vowed that Moira Shire Council would do all in its power to prevent another tragedy such as this one from occurring.
“We never want to be gathered here again in marking such a tragedy ... may they rest in peace,” Mr Tanner said.
Talking after the event Ms Anstis thanked the community for its support and love.