General News
23 February, 2024
Lismore, Derri’ rally around Rossiter family
LYNN Rossiter, mother of Paul and grandmother of Mia and Willow, has expressed deep gratitude to the Lismore and Derrinallum communities for the support they have shown while the family recovers from the January 3 car accident.
The family was involved in a car collision in Stonehaven, which killed 12-year-old Mia Rossiter and hospitalised her father (Paul), sister (Willow) and mother (Dani) after a driver allegedly collided with their vehicle on their way home.
Lismore and Derrinallum community groups have been running fundraisers to help the family while the Bush Inn remains closed, giving them a form of income to pay their medical bills.
Ms Rossiter said she wanted to thank everyone who has rallied around the family.
“Firstly I would like to thank Lismore Swimming Pool, Derrinallum Pub, Lismore Lions Club, Stephen and Gail Baldock from Lismore Post Office, and all the people who have sent well wishes – much appreciated,” she said.
“There was also Derrinallum P-12 College – can’t thank them enough for their love and thoughts, they have been fantastic.
“Caitlyn and all the Derrinallum community and the school, and the kids, they’ve all been really great.
“The school still keeps in touch with everything, and some of the kids are really concerned about Willow. She’s on the mend now, which is really good.”
Ms Rossiter said the students at the school have been making cards for Willow, with Mia’s friends still visiting her while she navigates the grieving process.
She has also expressed her gratitude to the Lismore Lions Club for their assistance.
“The Lismore Lions Club have been really fantastic helping; they’ve mowed the lawns at the house a couple of times, and they ring up and check up on us and see if there’s anything we need,” she said.
The Mount Elephant Hotel in Derrinallum held a fundraiser for the Rossiter family last month, while the Derrinallum Cricket Club held a minute silence for Mia before playing a game of cricket.
The club also marked ‘Mia Month’ in January, wearing armbands to honour her life.
Ms Rossiter also provided an update on the family’s recovery progress, something Lismore residents had been seeking from businesses in the township.
“Dani is recovering well,” she said.
“Paul (PJ) has some good days, but he certainly has a long way to go.
“His heel was completely shattered, and his arm and wrist are all plastered up. He had many internal injuries, and still has some.
“Paul’s got so much rehab and physio, because he can’t even walk yet.”
Ms Rossiter has also confirmed that the Bush Inn will not be reopening in the near future, and the family has been talking about moving the business.
“Bush Inn won’t be opening at that address anymore,” she said.
“If we open, we’ll do it somewhere else. They just can’t afford to pay the rent there while they’re out of commission, and I just can’t do it.
“I can’t open it because I’m too emotional at the moment, and I go to the hospital every day.”
Ms Rossiter also opened up about her struggles in the face of the family tragedy, saying the accident has “ruined everything”.
“Sometimes I’m good – I can talk about Mia for half an hour without crying – but other days I’m not,” she said.
“On the Hamilton Highway (at Stonehaven), I’ve put all flowers and stuff there.
“I go past there every day, and it’s hard.
“I miss her in the mornings when she would come in before school, and I hear the kids going past and I see the school bus and it just reminds me of her.”
Ms Rossiter said she wants Mia to be remembered “for the beautiful person she was”.
“Miss Mia Rose Rossiter will be forever loved and remembered always,” she said.
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