NSW: Slain family daughter says goodbye to her loved ones=3

AAP General News (Australia)
08-08-2009
NSW: Slain family daughter says goodbye to her loved ones=3

Before Brenda's video tribute was played, Min Lin's father and mother also spoke, bringing
many mourners tears.

Those at the memorial had remained composed throughout much of the service. But when
a distraught Lin Yangfei and Zhu Fengqin broke down in tears, grief washed over the crowd.

Speaking in mandarin, Lin Yangfei said the couple were "utterly devastated" by the five deaths.

"Words simply cannot adequately describe the depth of our sorrow," he said, in a translation
of his speech.

The shocking murder of the newsagent and his family has united the chinese and Australian
communities in northern Sydney, with many locals attending Saturday's service.

Students from Cheltenham Girls High School (CGHS) were visibly upset throughout the
service, some needing to be consoled by teachers and parents.

More than 100 CGHS students were bused in for the service. Each carried a single white
rose and dressed in their school uniform.

They wrote messages of condolence and support on two large banners placed outside the
pavilion, printed with photographs of the family.

The girls wrote messages on the banners including one which read: "Dear Brenda, we
are all behind and support you. Lots of love, Peony and CGHS".

Another wrote: "Brenda!! we will always be with you, so be strong".

Students from Henry's Epping Boys High and Terry's North Epping Primary also attended
the service.

Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy, federal MP Laurie Ferguson, the
family's local state MP Greg Smith and the Chinese Consul General Hu Shan sat in the front
row of the two-hour memorial.

In a speech Hu Shan lashed out at those responsible for the murders.

"How can we not feel the pain of losing such a kind and harmonious family," he said
through a translator.

"Words are not enough to condemn the cruelty and inhumanity of the crime."

The bodies of the Lin family are now being taken as part of a large cortege to Macquarie
Park Cemetery and Crematorium for a private funeral service.

AAP ab/cdh/mmr

KEYWORD: HOUSE FUNERAL UPDATE 3 SYDNEY

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