This Christmas is one of the toughest for many families in Cairns and the Torres Strait Islands.
It was the news no family ever wanted to receive - eight children found dead in a horrific tragedy that rocked the nation six days before Christmas.
The mother of seven of the children and aunt to the eighth, 37-year-old Raina Mersane Ina Thaiday, has been charged with their murders.
She remains in Cairns Base Hospital recovering from stab wounds.
Speaking publicly for the first time, Rod Willie, the grandfather of seven of the children, had a special message for families across the country on Christmas Eve.
"Children are the most vulnerable of our society, whose innocent lives deserve the greatest of love and care," he said.
"Cherish them."
The trauma from the tragedy - arguably one of the worst in Australian history - has reverberated across Cairns, throughout the islands of the Torres Strait and across the country.
Counselling has reportedly been offered to more than a dozen children in the suburb of Manoora where the killings took place, and support services have been dispatched to the Torres Strait.
Detectives, paramedics and other emergency personnel are also coming to terms with what they have witnessed.
"Young children have had their lives cut short. I think it resonates with everyone, and all you can do is be there for them and support them through their careers," Deputy Commissioner Brett Pointing said earlier this week.
"It's just going to be important to work with everyone and look after each other."
Some officers remain at the crime scene on Christmas Day as they continue to try to piece together what went on at 34 Murray St.
Just metres from the site hundreds of bouquets of flowers and cards lay at a makeshift memorial to the young slain.
They should have spent December 25 laughing and opening presents, instead their families grieve and plan a mass funeral for the eight children who will be laid to rest together in Cairns in the New Year.
Share
