SHE may have been the littlest one in her family but Phoebe Hunt was also the most bossy.
Like her sister and brother, she had a natural sporting ability, and at age six was already learning to water ski.
Family and friends gathered under stunning blue skies in Lockhart on Tuesday morning to farewell the little girl, her parents, Geoff and Kim, and siblings Mia and Fletcher.
It has been two weeks since the bodies of the Hunt family were found on their Boree Creek property. It is believed Geoff Hunt took the lives of his wife and children, before taking his own.
Rodger Schirmer, a Boree Creek man and councillor on Lockhart Shire, delivered a statement on behalf of the Hunt, Geppert and Blake families before asking for privacy.
Kim was described as a pillar for her family, "a generous soul who gave so much to everyone around her".
“They can probably put a full-stop on that chapter and start looking at the grieving process properly ...”
"Kim will be remembered for her energy and intensity," Mr Schirmer read on behalf of the family.
"She put so much effort and will into everything she did, which was why she was such a pillar of her family. She was a skilled nurse, an amazing chef, a talented gardener and a spirited sportswoman.
"Kim will also be remembered for her tenacity in overcoming so much hardship following an horrific car accident in 2012. She was an avid campaigner, speaking publicly about road safety and the difficulties arising from brain injury."
Geoff was remembered as a family man, good at everything he turned his hand to, one of those men who "always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye" and was a friend for all, particularly children.
"Geoff was a devoted father and loving husband," his family said through Mr Schirmer.
"He was an excellent water-skiier, tennis player and golfer. His skills in agronomy combined well with his brother Al's mechanical skills in successfully running the family farming business.
"Geoff had a wicked sense of humour and always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye. His personality was never more evident than when he played with children."
The children - Fletcher, Mia and Phoebe - were remembered as sporting children, each with their own passions and personalities.
"Fletcher, like his mother, was energy personified," Mr Schirmer read.
"Mia will be remembered for her empathy and innocence.
"Phoebe, the youngest member of the family, was also unsurprisingly the most bossy. She too possessed a natural sporting ability and was already learning to water ski."
Investigations into the deaths of the family are continuing as officers prepare a report for the coroner.
Superintendent Bob Noble, commander of the Wagga LAC, had little to say about the investigation on Tuesday morning, instead focusing on remembering the family.
"I don't really have any comment to make in respect of the investigation today... it'd be fair to say our detectives, with the State Crime Command, are working very, very, very hard in drawing that to a conclusion so it can be presented to the coroner and obviously from that point on, the coroner has a job to do," Supt Noble said.
"Anyone who has got their own family can draw parallels between some of those stories there today about the Hunts and their own families, so I think that brings home to everyone the gravity of the situation.
"It's extremely important (for the community to come together). It's been a difficult two weeks, I suspect the worst two weeks post the war this community's probably ever experienced, so coming together and putting arms around one another emotionally is a good thing.
"They can probably put a full-stop on that chapter and start looking at the grieving process properly."
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Mensline: 1300 78 99 78
Kids helpline: 1800 55 1800
Full statement from the Hunt, Geppert and Blake families
My name is Roger Schirmer and I have been asked to read this statement on behalf of the Hunt, Geppert and Blake families. This will be the only statement from the families and they have requested that you please withhold any questions at this time.
The past two weeks have been traumatic and full of sadness. It's been a reminder to us the importance of compassion, kindness and respect.
To all of you who have supported us through thought, word or deed, we thank you. From your phone calls and food deliveries through to warm hugs and kind thoughts, all of your support has been appreciated.
We also wish to acknowledge the efforts of the police and local authorities. Superintendent Noble and his team have been respectful and compassionate in undertaking their duties. Lockhart Shire Council has been very accommodating and doing all they can to support the local community.
Geoff was a devoted father and loving husband. He was talented, good at everything he turned his hand to. He was an excellent water skiier, tennis player and golfer. His skills in agronomy combined wll with his brother Al's mechanical skills in successfully running the family farming business. Geoff had a wicked sense of humour and always seemed to have a twinkle in his eye. His personality was never more evident than when he played with children. He did so with abandon. Geoff's antics on the golf course and at Boree Creek will be missed.
Kim will be remembered for her energy and intensity. She put so much effort and will into everything she did, which was why she was such a pillar of her family. She was a skilled nurse, an amazing chef, a talented gardener and a spirited sportswoman. Kim was a generous soul who gave so much to everyone around her. She was a wonderful mother and wife. Kim will also be remembered for her tenacity in overcoming so much hardship following an horrific car accident in 2012. She was an avid campaigner, speaking publicly about road safety and the difficulties arising from brain injury.
Fletcher, like his mother, was energy personified. This proved advantageous on the sporting field. In one memorable AFL game, Fletcher - at age 10, playing in the under 14s team - managed to kick five goals. We were moved when the team observed a minute's silence in memory of Fletcher. Fletcher loved jumping motorcycles and recently moved to a full-sized motorcycle. Geoff was kept busy building larger and larger jumps on the property at Watch Hill.
Mia will be remembered for her empathy and innocence. She loved to nurture others and enjoyed learning, thriving within the school environment. Mia's creative side often came to the fore in the midst of her adventures in the kitchen. She particularly enjoyed and excelled at music and sports. Her aptitude for netball and tennis made her parents very proud.
Phoebe, the youngest member of the family, was also unsurprisingly the most bossy. She too possessed a natural sporting ability and was already learning to water ski. She would respond to both a challenge as well as the lure of a lolly reward. Her charm and persistence will be sorely missed.
The Hunts enjoyed spending time together as a family, water-skiing at the creek, on holidays to Byron Bay, as active members of the local football and netball clubs. They were well respected among the local community and they were the first to volunteer help when others were in need. Their contribution and generosity to the community will be missed.
Today we say goodbye to beloved members of our family. Geoff, Kim, Fletcher, Mia and little Phoebe Hunt. We loved each one of them and we will miss them all for the rest of our lives. Today will be very difficult for all of us and we ask for privacy and respect as we remember, grieve and say farewell to our loved ones.
