Collum Thoms, father of Perth teenager Gemma Thoms, who died of an ecstasy overdose at a Big Day Out concert, asked young mourners at her funeral yesterday to "think of the pain they could cause their parents."
The ABC reports the 17 year old apprentice hairdresser collapsed at the Big Day Out concert at Perth's Claremont Showground on February 1 after swallowing up to three ecstasy tablets she feared would be discovered by authorities. She died about 12 hours later.
In a eulogy at his daughter's funeral yesterday at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Perth, Callum Thoms, of Melbourne, spoke of his pain that Gemma had not been able to meet her baby sister.
He appealed to her friends to learn from her death.
"To Gemma's friends, of which she had so many, I ask you please, if you are ever in a situation or you are faced with the decision my beautiful girl was facing, please be aware of the pain your parents could go through.
"We love you and you will never be forgotten; we will meet again - I love you; Daddy."
In a eulogy read by Gemma's aunts, her mother Peta said her perfect child had grown into an amazing woman who lived life to the full while challenging her and loving her all at once.
"Words can't describe how much I miss you and love you ... you touched the lives of so many people and they will have you in their hearts forever."
Lesmurdie priest Fr Jamie Calder told the gathering: "We think of hope and hope this will never happen again."
Many of the young mourners were wearing blue, which Thoms had said was her favourite colour, The Age says.
Six male pallbearers carried a white coffin covered with white lilies and bearing a portrait photograph of Thoms.
As friends arrived they signed two blank canvasses with messages of love and friendship.
SOURCE
Ecstasy death a 'painful lesson' (The Age)
Father's plea: Learn from BDO drug death (ABC News)