Hundreds turn out to farewell Scott

Slain teacher Stephanie Scott has been farewelled by hundreds of mourners in a moving ceremony in central western NSW.

The booklet from Stephanie Scott's funeral

The booklet from Stephanie Scott's funeral in Eugowra, NSW, Wednesday, April 22, 2015. The 26-year-old was allegedly murdered on Easter Sunday by a cleaner at Leeton High School where she taught English and Drama. (AAP Image/ Paddy Wood) NO ARCHIVING

It's the picturesque NSW rural property where Stephanie Scott was supposed to begin married life less than two weeks ago.

Instead, it's become the scene of the beloved teacher's final goodbye.

On Wednesday hundreds of mourners joined Ms Scott's family in a tree-ringed paddock just north of Eugowra in NSW's central west for an emotional private funeral.

Ms Scott, allegedly murdered six days before her wedding day, was remembered as a free-spirited and loveable soul.

Standing in front of a white coffin topped with red and orange flowers, her sister Kim lovingly recalled a girl with a knack for fashion who enjoyed playing pranks as a child.

"She never cared what other people thought of her," she said.

"She had an easy way about her. It meant that she could get on with anyone."

Ms Scott's impact was earlier reflected in a traffic jam that snaked its way back towards Eugowra as hundreds of people arrived to pay their respects.

The 26-year-old was allegedly murdered on Easter Sunday by a cleaner at Leeton High School where she taught English and drama.

The school's vice captain, Grace Green, fondly recalled days spent hanging around the drama room with Ms Scott, who made sure her students were always laughing.

"Ms Scott always knew how to brighten our day," she said.

Sun later peaked through the clouds as Ms Scott's father, Robert, dressed in a black shirt and bright yellow tie, took to the microphone alongside wife Merrilyn to deliver a personal tribute.

And there it remained as the man Ms Scott was to marry, Aaron Leeson-Woolley, helped lift her coffin into a waiting hearse and dozens of yellow balloons were released into the sky.

"It was a service that she would love to have," said Leeton mayor Paul Maytom, who made the drive from the Riverina town along with many others.

"It brought a lot of laughs. It certainly made people feel better."


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Source: AAP


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