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Hot air balloons honour Stephanie Scott

Stephanie Scott was due to be married only days after her murder. Photo: Facebook.

Stephanie Scott was due to be married only days after her murder. Photo: Facebook. Facebook

The home town of Stephanie Scott has honoured her memory with a special hot air balloon event as those who knew the popular teacher try to deal with her death.

Balloonists in Canowindra, in New South Wales’ central west, dedicated a flight to the teacher this morning after a burned body, believed to be hers, was found in bushland on Friday.

Fifteen hot air balloons took to the skies over the town on Sunday morning as residents released yellow helium balloons, similar to those used at a memorial picnic attend by hundred’s of people, including Ms Scott’s family, in Leeton on Saturday.

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“The balloonists from here and across the globe, here for an upcoming festival, wanted to dedicate a special flight to Stephanie Scott,” organiser Jan Kerr said.

Stephanie Scott was due to be married on Saturday

Stephanie Scott was due to be married on Saturday. Photo: ABC

Balloonist Ruth Wilson said she hoped the event would bring the town some joy.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to show that we care — (that) there can become something positive,” she said.

Ms Scott was due to be married on Saturday but disappeared on Easter Sunday.

Police said a burned body found in bushland on Friday is believed to be hers.

Residents in both Canowindra and Leeton also used Sunday morning church services to reflect on Ms Scott’s life.

At Canowindra’s Uniting and Anglican Church, Reverend Jonathon Williams said others could learn from Ms Scott’s kind nature.

“There was a claim that Stephanie was too nice and that made her vulnerable,” he said.

“But, if anything, we need to be nicer. We need to love more.

“Do not let an evil act control your lifestyle.

“I pray, may our prayers rise as our balloons rise.”

At St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Leeton, where many parishioners wore yellow in Ms Scott’s honour, Father Anthony Dunne said some residents would need help to come to terms with the tragedy.

“So as a community, let us support one another at this dark time,” Fr Dunne told the congregation.

On Saturday, Robert Scott paid tribute to his daughter before hundreds of people in Leeton.

“Stephanie was a bubbly, bright, witty, intelligent, fun-loving girl and a young woman who obviously has impacted on many people here today,” Mr Scott said.

“Our wishes for the future are that that will continue in your minds, [that] you remember her as the girl she was.”

Vincent Stanford, a 24-year-old cleaner at the school where Ms Scott taught, has been charged with her murder.

He remains in custody to face court again in June.

-ABC

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