Tears and love at Jai’s farewell

GOODBYE Jai.

With the release of hundreds of colourful balloons into the sky and a small flock of white pigeons, this is what the Mullumbimby community came together to say on Saturday.

The tears and sobs were punctuated with bursts of mirth at the funeral of 15-year-old Jai Morcom at Heritage Park, where almost 2000 people gathered to remember the quirky, relaxed, lovable boy they had lost.

Jai’s sister, Kyra, broke down as she spoke of her little brother: “There aren’t words good enough for how he made me feel.

“I loved him so much.”

Some of the Mullumbimby High School student’s friends had got together in the week between his death after a school yard fight and his funeral on the weekend to write and record a song commemorating their mate.

Better On The Other Side was not only a tribute to Jai, but also a call for peace and the end of violence.

Friends of Jai rose to speak of their fondest memories of his time in their lives, but also of the dreams that haunt them since his death.

“I have dreamed about him ever since and, if I could, I would sleep for the rest of my life,” one girl friend said.

Jai’s father, Steve Drummond, said his son’s legacy was bringing the community of Mullumbimby together again.

“What he has given in passing away is unbelievable in what it’s done. It’s just brought everyone together.”

Friends and family wrote tributes on Jai’s coffin before it was taken through the crowd to the waiting hearse.

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