Nona Belomesoff's Memorial

Waminda Oval, Campbelltown, May 22 2010 Share

The Mobile Stage Truck crew had the bitter sweet honour to be included in the Candlelight Memorial Service for Nona Belomesoff, at Waminda Oval, Campbelltown yesterday. Many of us there did not know Nona, and cannot in our wildest dreams imagine the pain of her family and friends. Incredibly, despite being amidst a crowd of strangers and media at their most difficult time, it was Nona’s family and friends who enabled the event to be a celebration. It was an inspiration to us all. The service was overwhelming, with the Campbelltown community, Nona’s family and friends, and the Service organisers choosing to focus on the joy of Nona’s life rather than the tragedy of her death.

	Mourners and supporters arrived in groups, laying wreaths and congregating to the beautiful “heart” of photos on the Mobile Stage Truck, with the warming tunes of Michelle Loomes, an original local artist, pouring from the speakers. On stage, Steve Wisbey MC’d the event. Steve is a local McArthur broadcaster and public speaker, who holds his community close to heart. Like so many residents of the area, the fact that such horror happened in “their back yard” stirred an outpouring of compassion and a need to pay respect. The East Campbelltown Eagles Junior Rugby League Club showed outstanding support, not only with the organisation of the service, but with all proceeds of sales of candles and refreshments donated to WIRES and RSPCA, Nona’s favourite charities.
14yr old Courtney Draper of the Eagles Club and Campbelltown Performing Arts School sang a beautiful rendition of Amazing Grace, followed by compassionate words from WIRES and RSPCA delegates. Nona’s aunt, Angie broke the hearts of everyone with her poise and open words, as did Nona’s brother Gary, with his words of thanks and remembrance. The release of 18 doves by Nona’s parents, to carry their daughter home was truly a poignant spectacle with the doves circling high and low above the field, before disappearing into the clouds. White Doves ‘R’ Us were as touched as we were to be part of such a sad reason for celebration.


Unquestionably though, all thanks and credit for today should be given to Bekk Hagstrom and her husband Dane who were responsible for not only the Service itself , but for the Facebook page R.I.P. Nona Belomesoff which has had over an incredible 13,000 Facebook users posting their sympathies, condolences and memories of Nona. The service concluded with a KD Lang version of Halleluiah playing as the crowd embraced the family.







As we packed down, and only the media remained, people who had not been able to attend the service continued to flow in with flowers and candles…