A 12-year-old girl who drowned at Ocean grove beach at the start of the school holidays has been described as “happy” and “artistic,” as a community fundraiser for her devastated family gets underway.
Bellarine Secondary College year 7 student Cienna Jervies was swimming with another girl, 13, at Collendina when the pair found themselves in trouble.
The older girl was rescued thanks to the heroic efforts of passers-by but Cienna was unable to be saved.
Family friend Zoe Mayne has started a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help Cienna’s parents, Jodie and Brent, cover funeral costs and other ongoing expenses.
Ms Mayne said ‘Sissy’ was “much-loved, artistic, happy … sometimes shy, sometimes bubbly”.
“(She was) a daughter, sister, cousin, granddaughter, niece, and the loyalist and best friend anyone could have,” Ms Mayne posted on the GoFundMe page.
“Cienna was a very important and loved member of the Clifton Springs and Bellarine community.”
The GoFundMe campaign has raised more than $15,000 in just 12 hours, with donations ranging from $10 to $2000.
Six people have made donations of $1,000 or more.
Geelong nurse Elise Van Wegen, who had been jogging on the beach when the tragedy occurred, said she swam out and managed to get hold of both both girls but the swell was too strong and she could not maintain her grip.
A man who assisted with the rescue managed to get the 13-year-old to shore.
