A community strong and united.
That’s always been the Singleton way and it’s the same principle, which remains to this day.
It is also why Singleton mayor Sue Moore and Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell know the residents will come together and shine through during one of the town’s darkest periods.
The locals have seen it all, especially in recent years, with drought, fires and floods impacting their everyday lives.
But, a fateful evening earlier this month changed the landscape forever… and shattered a sporting organisation – as well as Singletonians young and old alike – in the process.
Nadene and Kyah McBride, Andrew and Lynan Scott, Kane Symons, Rebecca Mullen, Darcy Bulman, Zach Bray, Tori Cowburn and Angus Craig, most boasting connections to the Hunter and the Roosters AFL club, lost their lives when the coach they were travelling in overturned at the roundabout on Wine Country Drive near the Hunter Expressway off ramp at Greta.
Quite simply, no words can describe the angst or anguish the tragedy has caused throughout the region.
However, the sole positive – if any – is the unrelenting solidarity among the residents who, after fending off invasive Sydney media, have stayed resolute in the toughest of times.
“I’m proud of everyone, especially with the way they have bonded,” Cr Moore said.
“They’ve reacted exactly how I thought they would, wrapping their arms around everyone, supporting everyone.
“Of course, it’s somewhat different for the Roosters, who are finding it rather challenging.
“However, they know the community is there for them, supporting them, as is the wider Hunter region.
“They’re just still struggling and finding it difficult to come out and talk to people about their grief.
“And, that’s totally understandable.
“From a council perspective, we’re working through what the Singleton AFL club is comfortable with.
“If they say they’re not at ease with anything, then we’ll take a step back.
“We’ve been talking with the Premier and Cabinet’s office as to when we might think about staging memorial days and the like.
“But, at this stage, it’s all about when the Roosters are comfortable with doing that.”
With the Sydney Swans and Newcastle Knights leading the tributes on the national stage at the weekend, Mr Layzell admitted being overcome with emotion by the heartfelt sentiments displayed by the local sports fraternity.
“It was pretty special to hear people speak about the incident, about those affected, and really show that they care in the way that they felt most comfortable, which was out on the sporting field, arm-in-arm with the Roosters,” he said.
“All across the valley, everyone displayed a lot of compassion.
“They showed their grief in a way that they felt they were comfortable with, whether it was taking the No 10 jumper out of some of the sides and hanging it up, representing the number of lives lost in the tragedy, or wearing the black armbands.
“Then, of course, at matches throughout the Hunter, there was a minute’s silence for the victims, all of those affected, and the frontline workers as well.
“The community of Singleton, and surrounds, will draw a lot of strength from those gestures.
“What occurred is nothing short of a tragedy but it’s something that has affected everyone in the Hunter and across the nation.
“Because when you look at it, in a split-second life changed for so many people in such a small community and in the whole region.
“So, people look at that [the tributes] and go: ‘wow, they really feel the grief that we are all feeling’.
“It simply brings everyone together.”
Both Cr Moore and Mr Layzell expressed their gratitude to the emergency service personnel who arrived at the scene to lend their assistance, with many of them local, too.
“I travelled to Cessnock on Sunday morning when NSW Premier Chris Minns came up to greet and thank the first responders,” Cr Moore told the Newcastle Weekly.
“So, I had many opportunities to chat with them.
“Not only the ones from the Branxton area, who were actually first on the scene, but several others, including police, NSW RFS, Fire and Rescue NSW and paramedics.
“A lot of them also attended the vigil at the crash site.
“However, there were quite a few there [at Cessnock].
“In fact, the courtyard was nearly full… and the Premier walked around and thanked them all for what they did and continue to do.
“I can’t imagine what they went through that night.
“They all do an incredible job.
“Let’s not forget the grief counsellors at the scene either,” Mr Layzell added.
“That was an important part of the grieving process, too.
“But, I urge anyone overwhelmed by recent events, whether it be this week or in the near future, to please make use of the available assistance such as the NSW Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 or by visiting the NSW Health website at www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/services/Pages/support-contact-list.aspx.
“Donations can also be made in various ways, from the Hunter Valley (NSW) Bus Tragedy Fund (RABS) co-managed by the NSW Government and Rotary Australia at to giving blood to replenish stocks required for the crash response at www.lifeblood.com.au.”
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