FAMILY and friends have spoken lovingly of a young couple taken too soon.
Speaking through a friend, Luke’s mother Julie said she was heartbroken.
“You were my special little man with the biggest heart I have ever been touched by.”
Mourners were told that the apprentice builder and keen footballer and basketballer formed close relationships with friends.
“Luke loved his family . . . we are all grateful of having been given the chance, short as it was, to have such a precious love for him.
“He is now locked away safe in our hearts and in our minds.
“My heart is lost, I trust you will show me the plan Luka. Love you always. Enjoy your holidays until we kiss and hug again,” she wrote.
In an emotional video tribute from Luke’s mates entitled: Our Last Good Byes from Your Gully Boys, friends spoke of a kind and loved young man.
“You brought so many people closer, I love you dearly,” said one.
“I’d give everything up in my life if I could get you back down here for a minute to say a proper goodbye,” said another.
Rachael’s parents and brothers stood at the altar together to deliver an emotional and at times funny account of the nearly 17 years they had with their daughter.
Mother Natalie told mourners her daughter was in love with life.
The crowd laughed when told stories of Rachael’s cheeky nature.
“I couldn’t believe she had the audacity . . . to ask a teacher if she would like to join them for lunch in the park. The teacher said, `Rach, I’ve just caught you wagging,’ to which Rach replied, `Yeah but you must be hungry?”’ Natalie said.
A lover of junk food and chocolate, the bubbly and vibrant 16-year-old was known for her chatty and sweet nature.
But she was also sincere.
“She was so proud of her Dad, who she idolised in so many ways, and had his wicked sense of humour,” Natalie said.
Gatherers were told how Rachael met her sweetheart in October 2007, when she took an interest in her mother’s basketball.
“I thought, `how nice is that?’,” Natalie said. “Not the case. A young cutie by the name of Luke Arnott had caught her eye and she was on the chase.
“Then on Saturday, 10 November 2007, Luke asked Rachael to date him. This began our new journey with Luke . . . who was now a son to Nev and I,” she said.
Natalie said her precious daughter was now an angel watching over her family. Rachael’s father Neville said his only girl would be forever missed.
“She had the ability to light up a room when she came in . . . she had that radiant smile and just enjoyed being part of life,” he said.
Neville spoke of a deep love not only for his daughter, but of the man he hoped to one day call a son.
“I always joked that if Rach and Luke split up, we’d keep Luke and give Rach to Luke’s parents,” he laughed.
Crying, Neville ended as only a father about to bury his daughter could: “Rach, I love you dearly and it’s been an absolute privilege to be your father.”
ONE week after they were killed in a horrific car accident in east Gippsland, Bendigo sweethearts Rachael Zimmer and Luke Arnott have been farewelled in an emotional service.
More than 1200 people packed into and around St Kilian’s Catholic Church yesterday, with many young teens wearing Rachael’s favourite colour, yellow, for the two-hour service.
Luke, 19, and Rachael, 16, died instantly when their black ute collided with a truck on the Nowa Nowa-Bruthen Road, north of Bruthen shortly before noon on January 9.
Rachael was due to start Year 12 at Catholic College Bendigo within weeks.
Prayers were also said during the service yesterday for the truck driver involved in the fatal accident. He escaped with minor injuries.
Mourners were told yesterday of a happy young couple in love, having been together for the past 14 months.
Father Rom Hayes described the event as a “moment of deep sadness”.
“There is in this gathering of people the deep and strong memory of two beautiful young people taken before their time,” he said.
“But their memories and the memories of their love and their life - their friendship is a very real thing here.” Mourners wept as a white coffin carrying Rachael and a mahogany coffin carrying Luke were borne out of the church to a simple song known as Song For Matthew.” Goodbye my perfect lover. Goodbye my hopeful dream. I’m trying to be strong without you. Can’t you just stay with me?” which sang out though the church as the service concluded.
A guard of honour stretching more than 200 metres lined McCrae Street following the service as the coffins were driven away.
Rachael is survived by parents Neville and Natalie, and brothers Jackson and BJ.
Luke is survived by parents Jeff and Julie, and sister Danielle.
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