MEMORIES of crocodile attack victim Jeremy Doble rushed back yesterday as the tight-knit Daintree community remembered their little hero one year on. 

A year ago, the death of the five-year-old who was taken by a crocodile on the family’s flooded Daintree River property made headlines.

Jeremy’s parents, Steve and Sharon Doble, looked on with pride as their son’s schoolmates at Wonga Beach State School banded together yesterday to remember their special little friend.

And the pain still remains raw after Jeremy was taken by a crocodile while he was playing with his brother, Ryan, during a king tide that had risen into their back yard.

"It’s still up and down. Everyday is different," Mrs Doble said. "You can’t plan if it’s going to be a good day or a bad day."

It was a sea of red at the assembly with many wearing Jeremy’s favourite colour.

"The children drew pictures about their moments with Jeremy, about his love and laughter," she said.

School principal Michelle Davis said as the powerpoint presentation was rolling, a song named Jeremy’s Song was played.

"Some of the older children made flowers and wrote words describing Jeremy on each of the petals. Words like bubbly, energetic," Ms Davis said.

"His original classmates wrote things like, ‘He would do silly things to make us laugh, when Jeremy was chasing us around or when Jeremy was playing cricket and hit a six’.

"The sixes and sevens, as a tribute to Jeremy, have started plans to do a garden this term."

Haunting reminders of the tragic event have forced the family to put their popular Daintree River Train business up for sale.

Mrs Doble said they wanted to stay in the community they had grown to love over the past six years.

In memory of Jeremy, a bench will be placed at a Wonga Beach park this month. It was funded by leftover cash from a community-created trust which helped the Dobles get back on their feet again.

Share this article