Jeremy’s uncle, Peter O’Reilly, said yesterday that either Farrer or its old boys’ association should contribute to the $10,000-$15,000 it is going to cost to bring the East Timor veteran home.

Jeremy was one of a number of former Farrer students who came forward to support allegations of systematic bullying at the school after legal action was brought against the Department of Education by David Gregory.

Mr Gregory, a student at the school in the 1990s, was awarded a $469,000 payout in June.

The Leader first heard of Jeremy’s death – which occurred last Monday – in a simply worded email from Mr

O’Reilly.

He died suddenly and his death is being investigated by the Western Australian Coroner.

Mr O’Reilly, who lives in Perth, spoke to The Leader yesterday.

He has called on either Farrer or the school’s old boys’ association to help pay to bring the body home.

“His father is waiting for the body to be released by the coroner in Perth before they can organise the funeral service,” he said.

“His mother is adamant the body is to be returned to either Tamworth or Queensland (where his parents now live).”

To bring the body back is going to cost up to $15,000 – and is money the family just doesn’t have.

“It would be an appropriate gesture from the school (Farrer Memorial Agricultural High) or its old boys’ association to make an ex-gratia contribution to repatriate his body to Tamworth or to Queensland,” Mr O’Reilly said.

He said the family was also considering approaching the Minister for Defence or the Department of Veteran’s Affairs for financial assistance to bring Jeremy home.

A former soldier, Jeremy

Strachan served in East Timor.

“He was a sweet kid and a sweet adult who took people at face value.”

Mr O’Reilly said Jeremy had just started a new job in the goldfields town of Kalgoorlie.

He had moved to the goldfields to be with his new

partner.

The relationship did not last.

“I guess it was the final straw,” Mr O’Reilly said.

Jeremy’s father Craig Strachan also emailed The Leader on Sunday and wrote: “It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of my son, Jeremy Strachan’s untimely death in Kalgoorlie, WA”.

The Department of Education was unable to comment when approached yesterday but is expected to release a statement today.