Raw silence: A shattered community says farewell to Molly Ticehurst

More than 1000 people gathered to farewell Ticehurst, a popular childcare worker in the Central West town, which had shut down for the funeral service.

Police Minister Yasmin Catley and NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb joined Minns to honour her.

A funeral celebrant read a message from the Ticehurst family.

“When you knew what was happening to you was not acceptable, you found the strength to leave. You found the strength when things didn’t change to seek legal help. You did everything possibly you could to protect your family, yourself and your son,” the celebrant said.

“What happened should never have happened. We are so proud of you for having the strength to leave.”

Through tears, her father, Tony Ticehurst, said: “Every parent would like to see their child change the world, but not at this cost.”

Forbes locals left their front porch lights on overnight on Wednesday night in her honour.

The 28-year-old enjoyed an especially close relationship with her parents, Kate and Tony, settling in Forbes at age 18 with her mum and dad after a childhood living across rural NSW. At home in Forbes, she began working behind the bar at the Forbes Inn, then the town’s bowling club.

She was a naturally gifted childcare educator, her friend and boss Aidan Clarke told mourners, but worried when she took the job at Forbes Learning Ladder. “If I leave the bowlo, who will serve all my oldies?” she asked him.

Molly’s father told the crowd it was a joy to walk down the street with her as children from her workplace spotted their beloved educator.

She hated Holden Commodores, which she disdainfully labelled “souped up Japanese shitboxes”, but loved cob loaves, Married at First Sight and “maineys” – doing laps up and down Lachlan Street, Forbes’ main drag – in her red Kia Rio.

Most of all, the crowd was told, she loved her four-year-old son.

“Always remember, I will be with you forever. There is no one I love more. I wish for you to love your life, believe in your own power and own innate goodness,” read the boy’s grandmother, in words she thought Molly might have left her son with if she’d had the chance.

As children from her extended family released balloons into a cloudy sky, Daryl Braithwaite’s The Horses played.

Ticehurst’s white coffin, covered in pink, yellow and purple flowers, was loaded into a red hearse at the oval. Accompanied by a motorcade of 100 riders, Ticehurst took her final mainey.