NSW: Strangers weep as abandoned baby Nicholas laid to rest

AAP General News (Australia)
04-30-2009
NSW: Strangers weep as abandoned baby Nicholas laid to rest

By Kim Christian

SYDNEY, April 30 AAP - Mourners who were total strangers wept openly for abandoned
newborn baby Nicholas as his tiny casket was lowered into the ground on Thursday.

It was 10 weeks since his body was discovered and the minister who conducted a moving
funeral service pleaded with Nicholas's mother to come forward and seek help.

More than 40 people attended the public funeral for Nicholas, whose body was discovered
on the conveyor belt of a rubbish tip at Spring Farm near Narellan, in Sydney's southwestern
outskirts, on February 11.

Authorities, who named him Nicholas after the patron saint of children, have been unable
to find his mother, despite a major police operation and numerous appeals for her to come
forward.

The Reverend Peter Kilkeary, who conducted the non-denominational Christian service
at Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney's west, said it was still not known if Nicholas had been
born alive.

"It's good that you people are here to show interest," he told the mourners.

"I wonder about a mother who has abandoned her baby and whether she has the support
of family and friends or whether she has had to bear grief alone. I feel for her."

No eulogy was read because Nicholas had not lived lived long enough, if at all, Mr
Kilkeary told the service at the Independent Mausoleum.

He said the funeral had helped people affected by the death to regain some of their
humanity and urged the mother to contact the State Coroner's Office.

"So for him today there is hope. Today we commit him to God," Mr Kilkeary said.

Of his mother, he said, "We wonder at her state of mind in abandoning this child."

A bronze headstone with an inscription "Baby Nicholas, mother unknown" is expected
to be placed at the gravesite.

Naomi Hayes and Chris Swan brought their three month-old baby boy Gabriel to the service
and wept as little Nicholas was buried.

"I just felt that he needed someone. Even though I didn't know him I just wanted to
show him someone cares," Ms Hayes told AAP.

"The poor little thing never got a hug or a kiss.

"It's good to see there's so many people out there that care."

Grandfather Henry Roach, 73, made the trip from the NSW Central Coast to pay his respects.

"You wouldn't think you could walk out on a little fella like that," he said.

"I'd say she (the mother) needs looking after, physically as well as mentally."

Mr Kilkeary said the mother might have sneaked into the service, but he did not know if she had.

A report on the post mortem examination of Nicholas's body has not been finalised.

Teary-eyed mourners, including mothers carrying babies and pushing prams, sprinkled
dirt and placed flowers, toys and teddy bears as the tiny off-white casket was lowered
into the grave.

Baby Nicholas is buried among hundreds of other deceased newborns at at a special plot
called the "Baby lawn".

AAP krc/bm/wjf/it/jlw

KEYWORD: TIP UPDATE

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