Girton grieves: Colorado suicide pact twins’ Bendigo link

GIRTON Grammar teachers and students have paid tribute to former students Candace and Kristin Hermeler who have been identified as the victims of a suspected suicide pact in the US.The 29-year-old twins, who lived in Bendigo in the mid-1990s, were shot at a Colorado shooting range on Monday.It’s believed they each hired handguns and spent time shooting targets before turning the guns on themselves.Kristin died at the scene and Candace, who was critically injured, has since woken in a Denver hospital and spoken to police.Their parents yesterday flew to the US from their home in Melbourne.The family moved to Bendigo in 1995 when Ern Hermeler was appointed as a senior manager at Bendigo Bank.Former Girton Grammar headmaster Clayton Jones said he remembered the day the twins’ parents enrolled them at the school and said he was shocked to learn of the tragedy.“I was absolutely staggered when I heard the news,” he said.“They were two lovely, beautifully behaved girls. “They were a pretty close family and just delightful.”Mr Jones said the girls came from a lovely family and had been “beautifully spoken and beautifully mannered”.“They were a lovely family, their Mum very much wanted the best for her girls and their dad was an absolute gentleman,” he said.Former classmate Richard Snowdon remembered the girls as being smart.“They spent a lot of time together but also had friends outside themselves,” he said. “They did come to the school relatively late ... but they were welcomed into the community.”Another former classmate said her thoughts were with the family of the sisters she described as close.Girton Grammar headmaster Mathew Maruff said the news had been upsetting for the school community.Mr Maruff said teachers that had taught the twins remembered them as beautifully behaved, well groomed, delightful students who were always cheerful and good-natured. “They worked hard in their classes and had good prospects in their studies,” he said.“The Hermelers were a close family. “The girls were the best of friends and their parents were very caring and supportive of them. “I know the girls were sadly missed when they left at the end of year 10.“Girton remembers them fondly and well. The staff members who taught them are shocked at the tragic news and their sympathies lie strongly with their parents.”Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or SANE Helpline on 1800 187 263 or visit www.beyondblue.org.au