The lead up to Christmas is a time that fills most young families with excitement.
But for Georgie Burt, it marks the worst moment of her life; the moment her son Zane Mellor lost his life in the 2021 Tasmanian school jumping castle tragedy.
WATCH NOW: What caused the Tasmania jumping castle tragedy? Article continues after video.
Zane was just 12 years old when a sudden gust of wind picked up a jumping castle on 16 December 2021, and he fell.
Since then, life hasn’t been the same for Georgie, who tells New Idea that Zane was her ‘partner in crime’.
“I had Zane when I was 16, so I grew up with him,” she says.
“He was my entire world. I became an adult with my son,” Georgie, 30, tells New Idea.
“When I lost him, it was like the floor had opened up and swallowed me. There will forever be a massive hole in my life.”
As the two-year anniversary of approaches, the families of Hillcrest Primary School in Devonport are remembering the children who died including 12-year-old Zane, and school mates Addison Stewart, 11, Jye Sheehan, 12, Jalailah Jayne-Maree Jones, 12, Peter Dodt, 12, and Chace Harrison, 11.
Georgie recalls how Zane was “wise beyond his years” and often helped her look after his two younger brothers, Max, now 10, and Link, now four.
“Zane had a really strong sense of what was right and wrong. He was a little humanitarian,” she says.
“He loved fishing, gaming, and woodcutting with his Pop. He loved animals too, especially his puppy dog Peanut. School wasn’t his strong point, but I was so proud of him for finishing year six.”
Navigating the grief and pain would have been unimaginable for Georgie without her now husband Andrew by her side.
Zane had given the pair his blessing to get married before he passed away, and the couple tied the knot in a small ceremony last September, with a picture of Zane looking over them.
“He absolutely adored Andrew,” says Georgie.
“Andrew was an incredible role model for Zane. My husband is a really good man. He lets me feel everything I need. I wouldn’t be here without him.”
Last month, Tasmania’s public prosecutor finally laid charges against Taz-Zorb jumping castle operator over the incident, alleging it failed to follow health and safety duties.
For Georgie, two-year the wait was ‘extremely emotionally draining.’
“It [was] almost tormenting to experience it alongside the grief of my son,” says Georgie.
“Like living in a bubble of despair.”
The community support from other families who were affected by the tragedy has been invaluable.
“I’ve found some great friendships with other families who lost children or who had children who were severely injured,” says Georgie.
“It’s opened my eyes to how compassionate people can be in times of crisis.”
And while her heart aches, Georgie believes Zane is still with her.
“He sends me signs like no tomorrow,” she says.
“I feel and see him everywhere. Sometimes his voice will just pop into my head. I was so proud of him when he was here, but I’m even more proud of him now.”
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