
2 June 2009
Yarra City Council is profoundly saddened by the death of Felix Hua, whose body has been found today in the Yarra River.
The 14-year-old had been missing since Saturday 30 May when he became separated from his Southern Cross Care (Vic) carer during a respite care outing in Yarra Bend Park.
Southern Cross Care (Vic) has a contract with Yarra City Council to provide home and community care in the municipality.
Mayor Cr Amanda Stone said Felix’s family, friends and close school community were in the thoughts and prayers of Yarra Councillors and staff.
“We are profoundly saddened by the death of Felix, who was much loved and brought a lot of joy to those around him,” Cr Stone said.
“We will continue to provide whatever practical and emotional support we can to Felix’s family,’ she said.
Yarra Council CEO Dr Andi Diamond said the Council would participate fully and openly in any investigation or inquiry into Felix’s death.
“We want and need to be part of a thorough and dispassionate assessment of what went wrong,” Dr Diamond said.
Yarra Council will be providing a critical incident report to the Department of Human Services by C.O.B. today.
The Council is working with Southern Cross Care (Vic) to establish how Felix became separated from his carer.
Dr Diamond said while the Council believed an appropriate level of care was being provided to other respite care clients, Council has requested that Southern Cross Care (Vic) nonetheless review its client care arrangements in the wake of Felix’s death.
Further informationFor media enquiries about this issue, please contact:
Ainslie Gowan
Coordinator Communications and Public Relations
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5177, 0400 933 700
Email ainslie.gowan@yarracity.vic.gov.au
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