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Hero kindergarten teacher remembered at community park vigil

<p>Hundreds of people have gathered in a vigil to honour Eleanor Bryant, the speech pathologist killed by an <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/heroic-kindergarten-teacher-identified-after-horror-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">out-of-control water tanker</a> that crashed into a Victorian kindergarten earlier this week.</p> <p>Friends, colleagues and first responders gathered at Lions Park in Riddells Creek to pay tribute to the mother of two, with flower tributes growing for the heroic kindergarten teacher. </p> <p>Macedon Ranges Shire Council chief executive Bernie O'Sullivan said the vigil aimed to provide connection and support for the grieving community.</p> <p>"Eleanor Bryant was such a beautiful person and her impact and reach [was received] in such a positive way," O'Sullivan said.</p> <p>"It's still really raw and a massive shock to this tight-knit community in Riddells Creek."</p> <p>The mother-of-two has been remembered by her family for her caring and down-to-earth nature. </p> <p>"She was the light of our lives: a cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister, and beloved by all her family and enormous network of friends," they previously said in a <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/she-was-the-light-of-our-lives-family-s-tribute-to-hero-kindergarten-teacher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>.</p> <p>A three-year-old boy was injured in the crash. </p> <p>The 68-year-old driver of the truck, who was believed to have suffered a medical episode, was taken to hospital but has since been discharged, and no charges have been laid. </p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

Caring

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"She was the light of our lives": Family's tribute to hero kindergarten teacher

<p>Eleanor Bryant, 43, put herself in harm's way to <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/heroic-kindergarten-teacher-identified-after-horror-crash" target="_blank" rel="noopener">save preschoolers</a> from a water tanker that crashed into the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek on Tuesday. </p> <p>Now, the mother-of-two and speech pathologist has been remembered for her caring and down-to-earth nature by her family. </p> <p>Bryant's husband and his two young kids expressed their grief in a statement, saying they were "devastated by the loss". </p> <p>"She was the light of our lives: a cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister, and beloved by all her family and enormous network of friends," the statement read. </p> <p>"Her infectious smile, sense of humour and passion for life made her a joy to be around.</p> <p>"There is an enormous hole in our hearts today.</p> <p>"We thank the emergency services for their tireless work and the public for their beautiful tributes.</p> <p>"We will miss her like crazy. We thank you for respecting our privacy at this difficult time."</p> <p>Bryant has also been remembered for the impact she has made as a speech pathologist, with mum Becky Burton thanking her for changing her daughter Milla's life. </p> <p>"I've never met someone that was so engaging, so down to earth, so caring and would do whatever it took [to make sure Milla was happy]," Burton said.</p> <p>"[She was] the most beautiful mum and person just taken so tragically."</p> <p>Bryant tragically died at the scene after the crash, while a three-year-old boy was injured and taken to the Royal Children's Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries to his arm.</p> <p>He remains in hospital and is in a stable condition. </p> <p>The driver of the truck was also taken to the Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition after the "experienced 68-year-old driver is understood to have suffered a medical episode".</p> <p>Parents and family members have since visited the kindergarten and laid flowers and cards as a tribute to Bryant. </p> <p>Family friend Walter Lucas held back tears as he remembered the beloved mother-of-two, saying: "She saved that kid's life.That kid is now going to go off and live their whole life. For her to take her life for that kid, she is more than a hero.</p> <p>"She's a superhero."</p> <p>Clinton Zammit, whose children went to the kindergarten, described the situation as "really sad".</p> <p>"I feel sorry for the woman who lost her life, her kids waking up today and having no mother. An unsung hero to push away kids and not care about anything else but the kids.</p> <p>"It hits home when my kids used to come here and there are other families involved.</p> <p>"We are a close-knit community, we are small but have big hearts and this will affect the community for a while."</p> <p>The pre-school is expected to remain closed for the coming weeks, and ongoing counselling has been offered onsite.</p> <p><em>Images: Nine</em></p>

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Heroic kindergarten teacher identified after horror crash

<p>A heroic kindergarten teacher who died saving preschoolers from an out-of-control water tanker that crashed through the school's playground has been identified. </p> <p>Mother-of-two Eleanor Bryant worked with children with special needs at the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School in Riddells Creek in Melbourne’s northwest.</p> <p>Bryant tragically died at the scene after the crash, while a three-year-old boy was injured and was taken to the Royal Children’s Hospital with a serious upper-body injury following the incident, Ambulance Victoria said.</p> <p>The driver of the truck, 68, is thought to have had a medical episode and was taken to Royal Melbourne Hospital in a stable condition, but police are still investigating the incident.</p> <p><em>Sunrise</em> reporter Teegan Dolling paid tribute to Bryant on Tuesday morning, saying, “She is the mum herself of two really young children. She’s been remembered this morning as a very happy speech pathologist, and mum who loved it here at the Macedon Ranges Montessori Pre-School."</p> <p>“What she did yesterday police are saying was heroic. She was working here at the school looking after a three-year-old boy. It was around 2.30pm when the water truck came hurtling down the road, smashed through the play equipment and it was playtime.</p> <p>“The preschoolers were out on the playground. She’s selflessly put herself in harm’s way … saving the life of the three-year-old.</p> <p>“Sadly, she died at the scene. A little boy was rushed to hospital. He’s got injuries to his upper body. As to why this has happened, the police are still investigating.</p> <p>“The scene is cleared here this morning. They believe the 68-year-old truck driver may have had a medical episode.”</p> <p>McKenzie Water owner Alan McKenzie confirmed that the truck belonged to his company and the driver was understood to have suffered a medical episode, adding that they were "devastated" by the crash and sending their "deepest sympathies" to those affected. </p> <p>Detective Senior Sergeant Christian Von Tunk said initial investigations led them to believe the truck lost control on a bridge about 120m from the kindergarten.</p> <p>“It appears there’s some contact with that bridge — we can see some debris,” he said. “There are also some signs on the left-hand side of the road that appear to have been struck as well."</p> <p>“It’s a tragic set of circumstances which actually could have been a lot worse. This is one of those close calls and I don’t know how only one person has died today.”</p> <p><em>Image credits: Seven</em></p>

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Can you guess who this Hollywood star is?

<p>Can you recognise this Australian comic actress, well known for her bold sense of humour and style?</p> <p>Best known for her roles in <em>Bridesmaids</em> and <em>Pitch Perfect</em>, this 37-year-old is used to being photographed – and her fans loved this throwback shot from her childhood.</p> <p>Rebel Wilson shared her adorable 1985 school photograph from Castle Hill Public School with her 4.7 million followers on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcgBGz-nig6/?hl=en&amp;taken-by=rebelwilson" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Instagram</span></strong></a> over the weekend.</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 658px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media"> <div style="padding: 8px;"> <div style="background: #F8F8F8; line-height: 0; margin-top: 40px; padding: 39.72222222222222% 0; text-align: center; width: 100%;"> <div style="background: url(data:image/png; base64,ivborw0kggoaaaansuheugaaacwaaaascamaaaapwqozaaaabgdbtueaalgpc/xhbqaaaafzukdcak7ohokaaaamuexurczmzpf399fx1+bm5mzy9amaaadisurbvdjlvzxbesmgces5/p8/t9furvcrmu73jwlzosgsiizurcjo/ad+eqjjb4hv8bft+idpqocx1wjosbfhh2xssxeiyn3uli/6mnree07uiwjev8ueowds88ly97kqytlijkktuybbruayvh5wohixmpi5we58ek028czwyuqdlkpg1bkb4nnm+veanfhqn1k4+gpt6ugqcvu2h2ovuif/gwufyy8owepdyzsa3avcqpvovvzzz2vtnn2wu8qzvjddeto90gsy9mvlqtgysy231mxry6i2ggqjrty0l8fxcxfcbbhwrsyyaaaaaelftksuqmcc); display: block; height: 44px; margin: 0 auto -44px; position: relative; top: -22px; width: 44px;"></div> </div> <p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BcgBGz-nig6/" target="_blank">Who would’ve thought these Kindergarten kids would grow up to be so successful! Thanks to the genius @farkas for sending this cute pic of us. I’m 3rd row, 3rd from the left with the pigtails (naturally). Loved going to Castle Hill Public School in Sydney! Fantastic teachers and kids x</a></p> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by Rebel Wilson (@rebelwilson) on Dec 9, 2017 at 3:40pm PST</p> </div> </blockquote> <p>Commenting on the photo, Rebel wrote: “Who would’ve thought these Kindergarten kids would grow up to be so successful! Thanks to the genius @farkas for sending this cute pic of us. I’m 3rd row, 3rd from the left with the pigtails (naturally). Loved going to Castle Hill Public School in Sydney! Fantastic teachers and kids x”</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img width="498" height="245" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7265508/image__498x245.jpg" alt="Image_ (40)"/></p> <p>Rebel has been busy promoting her latest film, <em>Pitch Perfect 3</em>, in which she stars alongside fellow celebs Ruby Rose and Anna Kendrick.</p> <p>Speaking with <a href="https://au.be.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/a/38049506/pitch-perfect-3-rebel-wilson-doesnt-consider-herself-beautiful/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Yahoo Be</span></strong></a>, Rebel admitted that she didn’t place herself in the same league as her glamorous co-stars. "I think all of the girls, I'll take myself out, they're so beautiful and they're all so gorgeous," she said.</p> <p>"We couldn't be more different, us 10 Bella's," she went on to tell Yahoo Be<a href="https://au.be.yahoo.com/entertainment/celebrity/a/38049506/pitch-perfect-3-rebel-wilson-doesnt-consider-herself-beautiful/" target="_blank"></a>. "We're all from such diverse backgrounds and yet when we're together we're a team and everyone is so different looking and I think that's great."</p> <p>Did you recognise the star straight away from the old school photo?</p>

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Mother of autistic boy writes touching letter to kindergarten teacher

<p>One grateful mother wrote a touching letter to her autistic son’s kindergarten teacher. Cue the waterworks.</p> <p>After her son’s first year of kindergarten, Tracy Boyarsky Smith penned a letter to the boy’s teacher.</p> <p>"You are in a regular classroom but took my son in with open arms. </p> <p>He’s anything but typical. Yet you treated him like all the others. You insisted that you were his teacher, not his aide.</p> <p>You kept him mixed at the tables with the other students. You invited him onto the rug at story time. </p> <p>You allowed him to sleep in the afternoon because his little body was worn out from working so hard all day long.</p> <p>You allowed him to take walks when meltdowns proved he had his fill for the day. I was so scared that he wouldn’t make it. When he came to you, he couldn’t hold a pencil. Within two weeks of being with you, he held a pencil and wrote both uppercase and lowercase letters. You taught him to read. You taught him to cut with scissors.</p> <p>It wasn’t perfect. There were bumps and yelling and throwing and kicking. He tried to escape once or twice.</p> <p>You never gave up on him or me. You not only taught him, you taught me."</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://themighty.com/2015/09/to-the-kindergarten-teacher-who-never-gave-up-on-my-son-with-autism/" target="_blank">You can read the complete touching letter here.</a></strong></span></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/09/funny-twin-photos/">Hilarious twin photos in matching outfits</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/new-favourite-childhood-book-covers/">Your favourite childhood books now look different</a></span></em></strong></p> <p><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="/lifestyle/family/2015/08/quotes-about-grandparents/">10 great quotes about being a grandparent</a></span></em></strong></p>

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