The parents of Lily Hooper have shared heartbreaking tributes to their beloved daughter as hundreds bid farewell to the 18-year-old. <\/p>\n
A large crowd of young people congregated at a chapel in Sydney\u2019s southwest to bid farewell the \u201cfearless\u201d teenager after her death on a solo hike in rugged NSW bushland gripped Australia.<\/p>\n
Later that night, the southern pylon of the Sydney Opera House lit up in purple as a tribute to the teenager.<\/p>\n
Mourners had earlier gathered at the sprawling Macarthur Memorial Park in Varroville on Thursday to say goodbye to the beloved teen.<\/p>\n
The park sits on more than 113 hectares of land in Sydney\u2019s southwest, with Ms Hooper\u2019s funeral being held at its centrepiece, the Sanctuary Chapel.<\/p>\n
Sad detail as mourners farewell beloved teen<\/b><\/p>\n
The carpark had nearly completely filled up by 10.30am, with many of the vehicles trickling in sporting red and green P plates.<\/p>\n
A large number of mourners entering the building prior to the service were young adults and teenagers.<\/p>\n
The chapel was described by park operators as a \u201cplace of peace and reflection\u201d which \u201coffers a warm and welcoming setting for memorial services and quiet moments of remembrance.\u201d<\/p>\n
Media were asked to refrain from taking photos as mourners entered the chapel, dressed in bright colours to pay tribute to the beloved teen.<\/p>\n
Before the service began, hundreds of mourners gathered for the casket, adorned with an array of pink and white flowers, to be walked into the chapel.<\/p>\n
\u2018She was fearless\u2019: Parents\u2019 tribute <\/b><\/p>\n
Speaking inside, Ms Hooper\u2019s parents Kirrily and Jim held their composure as they shared fond memories about their beloved daughter. <\/p>\n
Kirrily said the teenager was an authentic and fearless young woman, describing her daughter as someone who \u201cdidn\u2019t worry about what other people thought\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t hold herself back through fear or worrying about whether she was doing too much,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen we think about Lily\u2019s achievements, we actually took all these great things for granted \u2013 because that was just her.\u201d
She said Lily\u2019s determined and driven nature \u201ccaptivated so many people in these last few weeks\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe took life by the horns and did what she enjoyed, what she wanted to do, and is teaching us all about the important things in life.\u201d <\/p>\n
Kirrily said the teenager managed to \u201cpack a lot into 18 years\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was authentic and had a style all of her own,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cLily expressed her opinions, had a hilarious sense of humour.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of Lily\u2019s greatest qualities was that she was fearless.\u201d <\/p>\n
Kirrily said Lily was \u201cmeant to come out of all this ordeal alive to learn her lessons and also teach other young people about taking safety seriously\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201c(Lily) really loved the outdoors,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe loved bushwalking behind our property \u2026 she loved going to the beach, and especially when she got her (P plates), she drove to the beaches of Wollongong whenever she could. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe loved fishing, hunting, camping and spending days in the boat.\u201d <\/p>\n
Mr Hooper said Lily had always been a fun-loving and energetic girl who excelled in sports, maths and the arts. <\/p>\n
\u201cLily was a happy, funny and confident child,\u201d he said.
\u201cLily had a wide range of interests and she had a beautiful combination of strengths.\u201d <\/p>\n
Best friend Stevie said Lily was the \u201cmost vibrant and courageous girl I\u2019ve ever met\u201d, who encouraged others to \u201cchase dreams\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201c(She was) extremely passionate about the people she loved,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe made me brave enough to chase dreams I never knew I had.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said Lily \u201cwanted to experience as many things as she could \u2026 she did this with confidence, bravery and talent\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cExploring places, laughing together and crying together,\u201d Stevie told the crowd.<\/p>\n
\u201cSupporting each other through all the good and bad choices <\/p>\n
\u201cShe was my favourite person and forever best friend.\u201d<\/p>\n
The teenager was \u201cstrong, steady and full of spirit\u201d, her kickboxing coach Janine said. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe would have been a formidable black belt \u2026 I called her Lethal Lily,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cOff the mat she was gentle, sweet and full of light.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe made people feel safe, supported, inspired and seen.\u201d <\/p>\n
Among the tributes, her little brother Charlie shared a heartbreaking poem to Lily. <\/p>\n
\u201cEighteen years \u2013 far too few,<\/p>\n
\u201cYet Lily filled them through and through. <\/p>\n
\u201cWith courage, strength and fearless heart,<\/p>\n
\u201cShe lived each day and played her part.\u201d<\/p>\n
Charlie spoke of Lily\u2019s love for playing guitar, Tim Tams and being outdoors, and said she was a wonderful role model for other young girls. <\/p>\n
\u201cSo when we walk a mountain trail, hear guitar strings upon the air,\u201d he read.<\/p>\n
\u201cStep onto the mats, or share a Tim Tam too,<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019ll always be a little reminder of you.\u201d <\/p>\n
Following the service, Lily\u2019s casket was slowly carried from the chapel to the back of a white hearse, accompanied by a convoy of white sedans from White Lady Funerals. <\/p>\n
The White Ladies, known for their velvet red hats and all-white attire, were seen comforting mourners before and during the service.<\/p>\n
Devastating details reveal Lily\u2019s final moments<\/b><\/p>\n
Lily disappeared after setting out alone on a walk in Nattai National Park on August 12.<\/p>\n
Her car was later found near the trailhead, sparking a major search involving police, the SES, volunteers and specialist crews working through dense and difficult terrain.<\/p>\n
Eight days later, her body was located in bushland \u2013 ending a desperate search that had drawn widespread public attention and left her family clinging to hope.<\/p>\n
The teen from Oakdale will be remembered not only for the heartbreaking circumstances of her death, but for the warmth, energy and fearless spirit that family and friends have described in the days since she was found.<\/p>\n
In an update after her death, Kirrily told The Daily Telegraph preliminary reports indicated Lily had suffered a fall on the first afternoon. <\/p>\n
\u201cShe died the day she went missing and was found lying peacefully in dense bushland,\u201d Kirrily said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn hindsight we now know she passed quickly and she didn\u2019t suffer in the cold.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those closest to Lily have painted a picture of a young woman who lived boldly and left a lasting mark on the people around her. <\/p>\n
Her mother described her as \u201ca headstrong, independent, fearless girl\u201d, qualities that made her who she was, but also, she believed, \u201cleft her vulnerable to misadventure\u201d.<\/p>\n
Tributes have flowed from across the Wollondilly region and beyond. <\/p>\n
Lily had worked as a Sydney BridgeClimb guide, where she was remembered as \u201can absolute delight\u201d who \u201clit up every space with her smile and enthusiasm\u201d.<\/p>\n
Last month, a community memorial in Oakdale drew hundreds of people, with candles, flowers and purple lights honouring a teenager many described as bright, kind and full of promise.<\/p>\n
Lily\u2019s death has also sparked fresh discussion about bush safety, with her parents hoping her legacy will encourage young hikers to think carefully before heading into remote areas alone. <\/p>\n
Mr Hooper has also spoken of turning that grief into something lasting, floating the idea of \u201cLily\u2019s Law\u201d to build awareness around safety devices and preparation in the bush.<\/p>\n