Mourners have gathered nationwide to remember Kumanjayi Little Baby.
The body of the five-year-old girl, referred to as Kumanjayi Little Baby at her family's request in line with cultural traditions, was found last week after an extensive search in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
She had disappeared from her home in the Aboriginal town camp of Old Timers on Anzac Day. The resulting search brought the town to a halt, with volunteers joining emergency services in searching for her.
In Naarm on Thursday evening, a large crowd braved the freezing temperatures and rain at the Aboriginal Advancement League to pay their respects.
As the clock struck six, a silence was observed, with mourners, many wearing pink —Kumanjayi Little Baby's favourite colour—holding candles.
Organiser Natasha Ellis-Corrigan said that despite the distance from Alice Springs, the community gathering was vital.
"It's important for people to come here so they know that we are in this together," she said. "We come together in unity, to grieve together, but also to comfort each other in times of need."
Some community members from Warlpiri and Arrernte country were in attendance, as young dancers gave a ceremonial performance in memory of the five-year-old Warlpiri child.
Elders and children were given an ochre blessing on stage, as were two pregnant women who were given blessings on their stomachs as an offering of "love and kindness and support".
Waka Waka/Bundjilung Elder Rieo Ellis, in an emotional address, thanked people for attending.
"I'm overwhelmed," she said.
"We needed this, we needed to come together. If one hurts, no matter where, we all hurt somewhere."
After an extensive manhunt, Jefferson Lewis, 47, was arrested last week.
He has been charged with one count of murder and two other charges that cannot be disclosed for legal reasons.
Addressing the crowd on Thursday evening, Yorta Yorta Elder, Uncle Graham "Boots" Cooper — who delivered the Welcome to Country — admitted he thought mourning would get "easier over the years".
Instead, he argued, "It tears my soul out," before noting the crowd gave him hope.
"I felt sad coming to do it, but at the same time, I'm blown [away] that everyone's here," he said. "To you Kumanjayi, see you in the dream time."
Leigh Saunders, CEO of the Aboriginal Advancement League, told the mourners, "One of the things about our community — if it happens somewhere else, it affects us here."
"This is an opportunity for us to heal. What went on, it isn't right [and] this is a time for us to heal, he added.
