Sad Event

I was out riding my bike on Armidale's cycle-path near Curtis Park on September 11th when I came across what looked like a crime scene. A large area was marked out using the usual polic taping system and police wagon was parked on the bike path. I didn't stop to find out what was going on and it was several days later that I discovered that 3 year toddler had wandered off from her parents close to children's play area and they didn't notice anything amiss for a while. However, when she was noticed missing a quick search found her in Dumaresq creek, which runs through the centre of town. Alas, she could not be revived. That set me thinking of 9 months ago when we hosted our grandson, Flynn, then not quite 3 years old, at more or less the same spot, and of the need for eternal vigilance with kids that age.

A couple of days ago, I was at the same spot again and noticed a ceremony on the banks of the creek around a tree that had become a memorial to the dear little girl. The flowers were there today and I took some photos of them to remind us of what must have been an awful occasion for parents, relatives and friends. For people who know Armidale, you'd recognise that the creek is very high, though not quite in flood. And the brilliant green of the grass betokens a long wet period at the end of winter and start of spring.

AS