Tears for witty, loving Georgia

Young drowning victim farewelled

DEVONPORT’S Catholic Church was filled to overflowing yesterday as hundreds of people came to say goodbye to young drowning victim Georgia Lewtas, who was described as a witty, vivacious and cherished girl.

The 14-year-old St Brendan-Shaw College student died in the Royal Hobart Hospital last Sunday.

Many of her friends had travelled to the capital to be by her bedside and support her family. Her death came almost a week after she was rescued from the water off Devonport’s Bluff — a place she loved — after getting into difficulties while swimming with a friend.

A Hobart man, who was in the area at the time, dived in and managed to hold on to the unconscious girl until a rescue boat arrived.

“This is a very sad morning and a reminder we cannot control all things that happen in life,” parish priest Father Mike Delaney said at the service.

“The human experience of this tragedy is that there is no answer to why it happened.

“We lost Georgia after days of worry and prayer.

“By reaching out in love at this time we can be the face of God.”

Georgia loved the beach and this was reflected in a drift wood decoration in the church.

“We couldn’t bring sand in, that would have been too difficult, but wanted to reflect her love of the beach and ocean,” Father Delaney said.

Cousin Alex Lewtas said Georgia’s mother referred to her daughter as a “multifaceted diamond”.

“They say it takes a village to raise a child and in Georgia’s case this was very true. She was cherished by her extended family and community.”

The service heard Georgia was especially close to her grandparents.

“She loved dancing, modelling and her myriad of school friends. She was a witty, funloving person who will be so terribly missed.”

We couldn’t bring sand in, that would have been too difficult, but wanted to reflect her love of the beach and ocean

— FATHER MIKE DELANEY