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Luke Batty funeral: family and friends farewell 11-year-old killed by his father Luke Batty funeral: family and friends farewell 11-year-old killed by his father
(about 3 hours later)
Murdered Victorian schoolboy Luke Batty’s family and friends gathered to say farewell amid blooms of yellow and splashes of colour.Murdered Victorian schoolboy Luke Batty’s family and friends gathered to say farewell amid blooms of yellow and splashes of colour.
The 11-year-old was killed last week by his father, Greg Anderson, after cricket training at Tyabb, on the Mornington Peninsula.The 11-year-old was killed last week by his father, Greg Anderson, after cricket training at Tyabb, on the Mornington Peninsula.
Hundreds of Luke’s family, friends and schoolmates went to Flinders Christian Community College on Friday morning to pay their respects.Hundreds of Luke’s family, friends and schoolmates went to Flinders Christian Community College on Friday morning to pay their respects.
Luke’s yellow coffin is adorned with bright flowers and a stuffed SpongeBob SquarePants toy. Luke’s yellow coffin was adorned with bright flowers and a stuffed SpongeBob SquarePants toy.
Luke’s grandmother, Josephine Batty, who lives in England, told the congregation her time with her grandson, and his mum, Rosie Batty, was precious.Luke’s grandmother, Josephine Batty, who lives in England, told the congregation her time with her grandson, and his mum, Rosie Batty, was precious.
“We treasured our times with Rosie and Luke,” she said.“We treasured our times with Rosie and Luke,” she said.
“We were so blessed to spend five weeks with him last Christmas and January.”“We were so blessed to spend five weeks with him last Christmas and January.”
Head of Flinders’ junior school, Greg Partridge, said Luke was a confident boy with a positive impact on students around him.Head of Flinders’ junior school, Greg Partridge, said Luke was a confident boy with a positive impact on students around him.
“Teachers found it hard to discipline him when they were laughing at what he had just done,” he said.“Teachers found it hard to discipline him when they were laughing at what he had just done,” he said.
“You will be missed dearly Luke.”“You will be missed dearly Luke.”
Family friend Matthew Rendell recalled giving Luke a handshake two weeks ago.Family friend Matthew Rendell recalled giving Luke a handshake two weeks ago.
“I thought, gee you’ve turned into a little man,” he said.“I thought, gee you’ve turned into a little man,” he said.
Rosie Batty read Psalm 23 to the congregation.Rosie Batty read Psalm 23 to the congregation.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me,” she read.“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me,” she read.
The Rev David Rietveld said Luke was a boy of integrity, faith and hope.The Rev David Rietveld said Luke was a boy of integrity, faith and hope.
“Luke would seek to ask not just the simple or the surface questions, he would ask the deep and the profound questions about life, about God, about meaning,” he said.“Luke would seek to ask not just the simple or the surface questions, he would ask the deep and the profound questions about life, about God, about meaning,” he said.
“His integrity drove him to understand him what life was about.”“His integrity drove him to understand him what life was about.”
Rietveld praised the work of Rosie Batty against domestic violence as a positive to come out of a terrible tragedy.Rietveld praised the work of Rosie Batty against domestic violence as a positive to come out of a terrible tragedy.