Cienna Jervies is being remembered as a “happy” and “artistic” girl after she drowned while swimming near Ocean Grove.
The 12-year-old was swimming with a 13-year-old girl at Collendina Beach around 6pm on Tuesday, September 19, when they got into trouble.
Police said a passer-by entered the water, rescued one of the girls and brought her to shore while Victoria Police Airwing assisted with the return of the second girl.
Ambulance Victoria said paramedics treated a man in his 40s, a woman in her 30s and a 13-year-old female who were taken to the University Geelong Hospital in a stable condition.
CPR was performed on Cienna, from Clifton Springs, who friends and family fondly knew as “Sissy”, but she could not be resuscitated and died at the scene.
Cienna’s parents Jodie and Brent Jervies said they could not imagine what their lives would look like without their daughter.
“We are devastated by the death of our beautiful Cienna,” they said.
“Please remember to be kind, hug your babies hard, and give us privacy and space.”
Family friend Zoe Mayne set up a GoFundMe to help Cienna’s parents, Jodie and Brent Jervies, care for their sons while trying to navigate life and grief.
“(Her parents) are understandably unable to work at this time,” Ms Mayne said on the fundraising page.
“Sissy was a much loved, artistic, happy, sometimes shy, and sometimes bubbly Year Seven girl.
“A daughter, sister, cousin, granddaughter, niece, and the most loyal and best friend anyone could have.
“Cienna was a very important and loved member of the Clifton Springs and Bellarine community…our hearts are broken.
“Any donations to help with funeral costs and ongoing expenses to support the Jervies family through this time are greatly appreciated.”
At the time of writing the GoFundMe page had reached more than $21,000 in donations.
To support the Jervies family, visit gofundme.com/cienna-rosse-jervies
