Women are being killed across Australia. In Ballarat, a family says goodbye

“Hannah was highly competitive and fiercely determined. It was evident in the way she played sport, tackled her education and later her career as a junior basketballer. Hannah may have been small, but her competitive nature was huge,” van Berkel said.

“Hannah pursued her dreams with unwavering resolve. Her tenacity inspired us all.”

Van Berkel recalled stories of McGuire’s upbringing, her love and sibling rivalry with her brothers when they were born, and how she “grew up to be an extremely loving and strict big sister, always keeping her brothers in line”.

A number of Essendon footballers attended the funeral, including Hannah’s cousin, Nick Hind, Bombers captain Zach Merrett, and Jake Stringer and Jayden Laverde.

A video tribute was played from the staff and students at Delacombe Primary School, where McGuire worked for four years, initially in after-school care before she became a teacher’s aide. Her former students remembered her as a kind and thoughtful presence in the classroom.

“Hannah wasn’t just a teacher, she was a friend. I will miss you,” one student said in the video.

Another said he would miss her cheerful greetings in the mornings. “She would give me a big hug and always encourage me. I will miss you so much, Hannah, my mornings at care will not be the same without you,” he said.

Another video showed photos of McGuire as a child with her brothers on a beach, with her friends and her family. The montage of photos was shown as Memories by Dean Lewis and Goodbye by Kenny Rogers played.

“We remember the countless moments we shared with Hannah, the family holidays to a favourite place, Bali, the inside jokes, the laughter, each memory a treasure,” van Berkel said.

A casket adorned with white and pink roses was carried out of the chapel by her family and friends, as Goodbye played again and mourners wiped away tears and held each other.

Hundreds of cars banked along Doveton Road following a hearse to the Creswick Cemetery in Clunes, where McGuire was laid to rest.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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