The families of the victims who died in the Hunter Valley bus tragedy will receive a share of $1.5 million and will be remembered at a public memorial service.
The wedding of Mitch Gaffney and Maddy Edsell turned to tragedy in June when a bus carrying guests flipped near the Hunter Expressway at Greta, leading to one of Australia’s worst traffic tragedies with ten lives lost and 25 people injured.
NSW Premier Chris Minns revealed on Tuesday that the Hunter Valley Bus Tragedy Fund, administered by Rotary, closed after raising close to $1.5 million.
The NSW Government donated $100,000 with the funds raised to assist those affected by the horror crash.
The public memorial will be held at Singleton Showground on October 21, hoping to bring together those affected by the accident, including survivors and loved ones of those killed, with first responders, NSW Premier Chris Minns said.
“This Memorial Service will allow us to come together to grieve, support one another and pay tribute to those affected by this unimaginable tragedy,” Mr Minns said.
“It also provides an opportunity to recognise the courage and resilience of the frontline emergency service workers who attended the scene and treated patients in our hospitals.”
Community members are encouraged to attend even if they are not personally connected to the crash and a ticket will not be required.
Commencing at 11am, the service will be followed by a free communal barbecue in partnership with local charities.
The event will also be live streamed on the NSW Government website.
“The support that continues to be provided to our community since this tragedy has been overwhelming. Many people’s lives have been affected and it’s important that we stay strong,” Singleton Mayor Sue Moore said.
“The Memorial will be a chance for our tight-knit community to rally together and remember all those lost in the accident and support each other.”
Brett Andrew Button, the man allegedly behind the wheel at the time of the crash, is now facing 63 charges, including dangerous and negligent driving occasioning bodily harm.
“He did by misconduct, being drive recklessly causing a 57-seat Volvo bus to roll onto its rear side, cause bodily harm,” court documents state.