With respect for the lives lost in Ballina waters:
When love and courage, join together as one,
Sometimes grief is born, rather than anticipated fun.
As I sit by the river, who flows silently through our town,
I feel the heartbreak, the shock and see the sad frowns.
How does nature, influence each of our lives?
She commands our respect, she shows us how to strive…
To be our best, to be present with whatever is,
On a day like today, so many are feeling the need for a hug and a kiss.
Look up at the clouds, imagine loved ones spirits flying high,
Loss and pain, are what break our hearts open to cry.
To the three men who have passed, may they rest in peace,
As their loved ones hold each other, to be with their grief.
Thank you to the heroes, who risked losing their lives for others,
They showed courage and trust, as their possible own fears they smothered.
May this town we call home, be gentle and kind,
As this tragedy of last night, in due course unwinds.
Let’s show only kindness, because tragedy can happen to anyone,
Life is a paradox, of joy, fear, grief and fun.
Let’s sit by the water and feel whatever we feel,
For this is life, this is real.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
