Kempsey bus-train tragedy: Kempsey remembers as six children 'live on in our hearts'

There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd as Reverend Glen Pope, who attended school with the six children, spoke of the tragedy and how it impacted Kempsey at the time.

“We are gathered here today, 50 years on from a tragedy which shaped many of our lives. We stand as family and friends who have not forgotten,” Mr Pope said.

“Today is about honouring and remembering and by doing that the children will live on in our hearts from now until eternity.

“Kempsey was never the same after the tragedy, we lost students and family members.”

Margaret Barnett, Graeme Burley, Rosemary Lawrence, Sharon Perrott, Trixie Ramsay and Rhonda Searle were travelling home when a train collided with their school bus, which resulted in the six children losing their lives while 15 more children and two adults were injured.

The bus was travelling from Kempsey High School and the Kempsey Convent School to South Kempsey and farming centres towards Dondingalong. 

Mr Pope acknowledged it was a different time and support systems weren’t in place to help people come to terms with the tragedy, but believes the community’s bond was strengthened.

“We didn’t have councillors or anyone to talk to about what had occurred, we just had to go on,” Mr Pope said.

“There was a feeling of numbness at school.

“I believe this community is special. We all grew stronger and did everything we could to support family and friends.”

After Mr Pope finished his speech, seven survivors who were on the bus at the time of the crash stepped forward and laid a wreath at the foot of the memorial.

The emotional crowd watched on as the now elderly residents held back tears, hugged and remembered the day which changed their lives forever.

Family members, friends and those paying their respects then stepped forward to place flowers on the memorial.

The memorial ceremony finished with the reading of a poem by Kempsey resident A.E. Gill, also known as Banjo.

There is a great tragedy

That has come upon our land.

Near where the Old Macleay,

Flows on its way so grand.

It was just three weeks before Christmas,

With school holidays on their way,

The children on the Dondingalong bus,

Were so Happy and so Gay.

When they reached the Middleton Street crossing,

T’was there that fate took a hand.

To rob the district of six young lives,

They were the ‘gems’ of our land.

A storm was raging at the time,

Some say the train was running late,

God only knows what went wrong,

Why somebody never shut the gate.

The Daylight express had hit the bus,

And spun it right around,

Then hit it once again.

And sent the children sprawling on the ground.

Our thoughts were of those we love,

And the ones we knew so well.

But when we reached that scene,

T’was that sad its hard to tell.

The rain was steadily falling,

As the children moved with tender oare,

And rushed by ambulance to hospital.

Where extra staff was waiting there.

The nurses and the doctors,

Worked throughout the night.

They tell me our lady mayoress,

Donned a uniform of white.

Then rushed to aid the suffering,

And helped to save a little girl’s life,

Funeral services they were held.

For the loved ones who had passed away.

The churches packed to overflowing.

And people crammed in the doorway.

There were people from everywhere,

They came from all walks of life,

The sisters and the girls from the convent

Jim Brown the MP and the Rev. George White.

School girls and boys in uniform,

And their techers too.

They formed a guard of honour,

Whic the mourners walked through.

A policeman on his motorbike,

Led the cortege on its way.

Old timers say they were the biggest funers,

To be ever seen on the Macleay.

Government buildings in the town,

Flew their flags at half mast.

While everyone stood in silence,

Till the cortege moved past.

Then at the grave site,

In reverence a large crowd.

They stood there and listened,

With their bare heads bowed.

Then spoke the minister,

Who’s voice was soft but clear.

Well dear friends is what he said,

You all know why we are gathered here.

On this very solemn occasion, 

It is to say our last goodbye.

For God has called these young pupils,

To his big school up in the sky.

Now time will heal a broken heart,

And God will dry away those tears,

For these children they were smart,

And much wiser than their years.

Now we can’t explain the reason,

Why this great tragedy has come.

Yet we all must remember,

To say they will be done.

Now the railway is going to build a bridge,

Pedestrian crossing with a carriageway.

To amke it safe for everyone,

Who will want to pass this way.

Then when the work is finished,

For every boy, girl, husband or wife.

Will want to see the bridge dedicated,

To those who lost their life.

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