Pink balloons and orange butterflies. It was a sight that would have thrilled eight-year-old Trinity Bates, had she lived.
The schoolgirl was slain in the southern Queensland city of Bundaberg on February 22 and her body found in a drain just 50 metres from her home.
Hundreds gathered at the Citicoast Church on Wednesday to say goodbye to the young girl, remembered as an innocent and beautiful child.
Many were dressed in pink, the eight-year-old's favourite colour, and balloons of the same colour were released into the sky along with orange butterflies in tribute.
A family spokesman told the congregation Trinny - as she was known - loved animals and riding her bike.
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"My great regret is that I did not tell her enough how much I loved her," he told the 500 mourners who had gathered for the private service.
A friend tearfully spoke of what she felt Trinity would want the community to do. "We should cherish her memory and let it live on," she said.
"You can close your mind, be empty and turn your back, or you can do what Trinity would want - smile, open your eyes, love and go on."
The service featured a video of Trinity and her friends.
A 19-year-old has been charged with her murder. He remains in custody and is due to appear in court again in May.
