Riddells Creek residents gather to begin pre-school truck crash healing

Riddells Creek residents start healing process after truck crash tragedy - ABC NewsSkip to main contentABC NewsJust InFor YouPoliticsUS ElectionWorldBusinessAnalysisSportLifestyleEntertainmentMoreSearch the news, stories & peopleLog inNews HomeJust InFor YouAnalysisRuralWatch LiveHealthIndigenousPoliticsUS ElectionScienceElectionsWorldEnvironmentInvestigationsBusinessFact CheckLocal newsSportAFLNRLFootballTennisCricketNetballLifestyleWellbeingRelationships & FamilyFood & RecipesPersonal FinanceHome & GardenEntertainmentTV & MoviesBooksMusicPop CultureArtsYour ABC AccountPersonalise the news andstay in the knowLog in to personaliseFacebookYouTubeInstagramTwitterEmergencyBackstoryNewsletters中文新闻BERITA BAHASA INDONESIATOK PISINABCABC iViewABC ListenTriple JABC KidsABC NewsABC News News HomeRiddells Creek residents start healing process after truck crash tragedyShare Riddells Creek residents start healing process after truck crash tragedyBy Tyrone DaltonABC Central VictoriaTopic:Transport Accidents and IncidentsFri 15 NovFriday 15 NovemberFri 15 Nov 2024 at 7:00pmLoading...In short: The Victorian township of Riddells Creek is beginning its healing process after Monday's truck crash that killed 43-year-old speech pathologist and mother of two, Eleanor Bryant.Residents and workers have spoken of the "trauma", "horror" and "sorrow" that hangs over Riddells Creek.What's next?Counselling is being offered for community members affected by the tragedy.abc.net.au/news/riddells-creek-eleanor-bryant-tragedy-trauma-community-healing/104605260Link copiedShareShare articleOn the surface, the Macedon Ranges town of Riddells Creek appears as it usually does.Riddells Creek is known for its resident gaggle of geese that stop traffic multiple times a day. (ABC News: Tyrone Dalton)Its famous geese can be seen stopping traffic several times a day to cross the road. Residents and passers-by bustle in and out of the post office and bakery, sharing friendly greetings as they pass.But a deep sadness lingers over the town. It is evident in the floral tributes for 43-year-old speech pathologist and mother of two, Eleanor Bryant, that line its main road.Ms Bryant died when a water truck veered off the road and crashed through the school's playground on Monday, killing the much-loved teacher's aide and injuring a boy.Residents lay flowers at Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in memory of Eleanor Bryant. (ABC News: Tyrone Dalton)Conflicting feelings"Trauma", "sorrow" and "horror" were among residents' responses when the ABC asked how they were doing. Virtually no one wanted to speak to the media.And those who questioned speaking publicly wrestled with the idea that they wanted to, for their town's sake, but were not sure it was their place to.Residents are wearing yellow ribbons to tell the public they don't want to talk about the incident. (ABC News: Tyrone Dalton)They have had enough of journalists and camera crews. Posters have been hung in shop windows telling people, particularly media, "If we are wearing a yellow ribbon, please respect our privacy, and avoid asking us questions at this time.""Even now, the shock of it is horrendous, that something like that could happen," Riddells Creek Mechanics Institute secretary, Val Sparshott, said. "It's still emotional. It's sorrow."Val Sparshott says the town is feeling sorrow in the days after the pre-school crash. (ABC News: Tyrone Dalton)The mechanics institute became the hub for the town to come together and talk about how they felt in the days after the crash."It's offloading the feeling of horror and sadness, and if you can talk things over it does help," Ms Sparshott said."A problem shared is a problem halved. That's what my grandmother would tell me."Having lived in the town since the late 70s, Ms Sparshott said the tragedy brought back feelings and memories of counselling and supporting her children through the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983.Community members have left flowers to pay tribute to Ms Bryant. (ABC News: Kristofor Lawson)Moving forwardThe row of tributes laid along the fence of the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School, where the tragedy unfolded, have paid tribute to "EJ" as a "beacon of light" and "a beautiful friend".Thursday night was a turning point for the community as it gathered at the Lions Park for a vigil and to begin the healing process. Hundreds gathered and many – of all ages – wiped away tears as counsellors, dignitaries and the pre-school's manager Taia Ly spoke about the way forward.Taia Ly pays tribute to Ms Bryant at a public gathering. (ABC News: Kristofor Lawson)She told the crowd she wanted the community to be a part of the healing process."The staff and teachers there have worked so hard to provide a space of happiness and peace, tranquillity, and it has been disrupted," Ms Ly said."We will heal because we have confidence in the beauty, unity and resilience in our nature and really hope that we can continue that."I hold utmost respect to Eleanor, who saved the life of this child who thankfully only received injuries and is alive and well today, unfortunately at the cost of hers."A team of chaplains and personal support volunteers from the Victorian Council of Churches Emergency Ministry has been on the ground since Tuesday, walking the streets and checking in with people to see how they are doing.Hundreds of community members gathered in Lions Park to pay tribute to Ms Bryant. (ABC News: Kristofor Lawson)One of its chaplains, Mark Dunne, said trauma was different for everyone and could bring up emotions for weeks, months and years after the incident."Invariably, there will be that sense of disruption to the norm," he said."Sometimes it can be sleeplessness, sometimes it can be a sense of hyperactivity and wanting to keep busy and doing stuff to not have to think about the sadness and the tragedy of what has happened."Mark Dunne says people will continue to feel strong emotions about the tragedy. (ABC News: Tyrone Dalton)Mr Dunne said it was okay for residents and the Macedon Ranges community to feel like they had been knocked "out of kilter"."If you're still not sleeping properly, if you're still finding yourself hypervigilant, if the noise of a screech of tyre from a vehicle stirs you up in a month's time, that's a pretty good indicator you might well need some extra professional help," he said.Sunbury and Cobaw Community Health, and Macedon Ranges Health, are offering counselling and support services to residents.ABC Central Vic —local news in your inboxGet our local newsletter, delivered free each TuesdayYour information is being handled in accordance with the ABC Privacy Collection Statement.Email addressSubscribePosted Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 7:00pmFriday 15 Nov 2024 at 7:00pmFri 15 Nov 2024 at 7:00pm, updated Fri 15 Nov 2024 at 9:22pmFriday 15 Nov 2024 at 9:22pmFri 15 Nov 2024 at 9:22pmShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)Top StoriesDaughters cling to hope Japan will acquit Perth mum who they say was victim of romance scamTopic:Courts and TrialsPhoto shows A photo on a table showing Donna Nelson with her arm around her eldest daughter Ash and another daughter off to the sideXi Jinping tells Biden China 'ready to work' with Trump administrationTopic:APEC Economic Leaders' MeetingsPhoto shows Joe Biden and Xi Jinping wearing dark suits and shaking hands in front of US and Chinese flagsAustralia struggling with oversupply of solar powerTopic:Energy IndustryPhoto shows A solar system on a roof with foliage in the foreground.'It was a mistake': UK residents regret shared home ownership as Australian scheme back in parliamentTopic:Housing PolicyPhoto shows A man with short brown hair wears a pink shirt while looking neutrally at the cameraAlbanese unlikely to detail emissions target before next electionTopic:Environmental PolicyPhoto shows Anthony Albanese wearing a dark suit and red spotted tieRelated storiesFamily of speech pathologist killed in preschool crash pays tribute to 'cherished mother, wife, daughter'Topic:Road Accidents and IncidentsPhoto shows Eleanor Bryant, who was killed when a truck crashed into a Victorian preschool, pictured smiling at the races.Woman dead and child injured after truck crashes into Victorian preschoolTopic:Accidents and Emergency IncidentsPhoto shows The trailer of a truck can be seen in a kindergarten ground.Related topicsDeath and DyingMelbourneRiddells CreekTransport Accidents and IncidentsTop StoriesDaughters cling to hope Japan will acquit Perth mum who they say was victim of romance scamTopic:Courts and TrialsPhoto shows A photo on a table showing Donna Nelson with her arm around her eldest daughter Ash and another daughter off to the sideXi Jinping tells Biden China 'ready to work' with Trump administrationTopic:APEC Economic Leaders' MeetingsAustralia struggling with oversupply of solar powerTopic:Energy Industry'It was a mistake': UK residents regret shared home ownership as Australian scheme back in parliamentTopic:Housing PolicyAlbanese unlikely to detail emissions target before next electionTopic:Environmental PolicyJust InInvestigations underway into plane crash that killed 20yo pilot, two teenagers in VictoriaTopic:Air and Space Accidents and Incidents30m ago30 minutes agoSun 17 Nov 2024 at 5:49amAirbnb's plan to host 'gladiator' battles at Rome's Colosseum causes outrageTopic:Travel and Tourism (Lifestyle and Leisure)49m ago49 minutes agoSun 17 Nov 2024 at 5:29amFemale pedestrian dies after being hit by ute in Jerrabomberra Topic:Road Accidents and Incidents1h ago1 hours agoSun 17 Nov 2024 at 5:05amWhat is Bluesky, the fast-growing platform welcoming former X users?Topic:Internet Culture1h ago1 hours agoSun 17 Nov 2024 at 4:57amMore Just InBack to topFooterABC News homepageMore From ABC NEWSWe acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn, and work.SectionsABC NEWSJust InWatch LivePoliticsWorldBusinessAnalysisSportScienceHealthEntertainmentLifestyleFact CheckOtherNews in language中文Berita Bahasa IndonesiaTok PisinConnect with ABC NewsFacebookInstagramYouTubeApple NewsX (formerly Twitter)More from ABC NewsContact ABC NEWSThis service may include material from Agence France-Presse (AFP), APTN, Reuters, AAP, CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced.AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)Editorial PoliciesAccessibilityHelpContact UsAbout the ABCPrivacy PolicyTerms of Use© 2024 ABC