TRIBUTES are flowing in amidst preparations for two memorials for a Barraba couple, who are presumed dead after disappearing off a luxury cruise liner last week.
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Thirty-year-old Barraba paramedic, Paul Rossington and his 27-year-old girlfriend, Kristen Schroder (nee Dennis), are being remembered as caring and friendly people who did anything and everything for animals.
It comes as the families prepare to hold remembrance ceremonies to farewell the couple.
The Dennis family from Bingara will hold a ceremony to remember Kristen early next week, while Ambulance NSW said the Rossington family will hold a separate memorial, but details are yet to be released.
The couple plunged off the balcony of the Carnival Spirit cruise ship the night before they were due to dock in Sydney.
However, the search to find them was hampered, after they were only reported missing when they failed to collect their luggage.
A full-scale air and sea search was launched off the coast of Forster, after security footage showed the duo disappearing over the balcony just before 9pm on Wednesday, May 8, as the cruise ship made its way down the mid-north coast.
The Dennis family released a short statement just days after the accident.
“The Dennis family wishes to thank everyone involved in the search for both Paul and Kristen.
“We would appreciate privacy and understanding while we come to terms with our beautiful girl’s tragic accident,”the statement read.
Neither family are yet to speak publicly, although they’ve posted various messages on Facebook.
A Facebook page, Paul and Kristen – messages, has also been set up in the wake of the tragedy.
Since it was created a few days ago, close to 900 people have liked the page and posted dozens of photos and farewell messages to the
couple.
The author of the page said it was originally set up to honour the memories of a couple lost in time.
In lieu of flowers, Kristen’s family have requested donations be made to Pound Rounds or Pound Cats, organisations Kristen was heavily involved with, while Paul’s family says people can pay their respects by donating to Ambulance NSW – a cause he was passionate about.
“They were both true animal lovers, and they would’ve liked nothing more than for you to pay your respects by donating,” the page said.
Paul has been remembered as a gentleman among gentlemen, while friends and family have described Kristen as an angel and animal lover who rescued a menagerie of animals.
It’s been a week since the couple disappeared, but the news is yet to sink in for many family and friends.
“Thinking of you mate. Our love to your family from your colleagues at Bingara ambulance station xxx,” Joy Smith posted.
“Paul, you were always welcome at my station because you were caring, considerate, thorough and gentlemanly in your engagements with the public. You will be missed by so many. Always in our hearts, Doro,” Mark Doran said.
“Rosso, I’ve known you 20 years brother! So many great memories that I will never forget!... Riding around with you in your ford laser with the rainbow stripe in high school, boxing day races, Bali, Byron Bay...You always were and always will be a true legend. Thank you for being in my life,” Tim Windsor wrote.
“I never got to meet Paul but I know that he made Kristen so very happy,” another posted online.
“Kristen, you were one fantastic, beautiful girl with a huge heart. Always had time for a friend, knew what to say, have a great hug and never took a bad picture, lol. Gorgeous! Remembering the good times girlfriend. Much love. xx,” Haley Tindall said.
The details of where donations in memory of the two can be found on the facebook page at www.facebook.
com/KristenPaulMemories
Paul and Kristen were set to spend their last night on board the Carnival Spirit before tragedy struck.
The two had been on a 10-day holiday around the Pacific Islands with Ms Schroder’s parents, Reg and Roxene Dennis, as well as her sister Dee Percuoco and her husband, and brother Aaron and his partner. The search was only launched on Thursday morning, last week when the two failed to disembark the cruise ship.
The search for the couple was called off at 5pm last Friday, almost 48 hours after the couple first disappeared.
The security footage shows the pair going overboard, one immediately after the other.
Police have said the vision is unclear, but it’s believed Ms Schroder climbed over the railing and fell, before Mr Rossington jumped moments later.
However, Ms Schroder’s family have rejected the rumours.
Sascha Percuoco, Ms Schroder’s brother-in-law, took to Facebook to vent the family’s anger over rumours that suggested the fall was not an accident.
“It has been upsetting to read the media reporting that Kristen jumped off the Carnival Spirit cruise ship willingly. I want to make one thing absolutely clear – neither of them had been drinking and I do not for one minute believe Kristen would take her own life,’’ Mr Percuoco posted on Facebook last week.