In a small community, everyone's connected, so when someone in a small community dies, everyone is affected. When a young, popular family is lost in horrendous circumstances, grief is magnified beyond the understanding of the world looking in.
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Everyone's thoughts are with the family, friends, neighbours, classmates, teammates and colleagues of Kim, Geoff, Fletcher, Mia and Phoebe Hunt.
The bodies of Kim and the kids were found on Tuesday afternoon, and that of Geoff's was discovered on Wednesday afternoon.
Kim, 41, a nurse. Fletcher, a 10-year-old, Mia, two years younger, and Phoebe, just six - all students at Lockhart's St Joseph's Primary School. Geoff, 44, a farmer.
The Boree Creek and Lockhart communities are rallying in the way that small towns do - supporting the families of Kim and Geoff, and looking out for each other.
On Wednesday, Lockhart mayor Peter Yates staged a special council meeting to end what he described as a horrible 24 hours.
The meeting developed plans to assist those affected by the tragedy, including St Joseph's School - where the children were in year four, two and kindergarten - and the wider community.
Cr Yates encouraged people to talk to one another and described farming conditions as tough, but not catastrophic.
He said council would offer counsellors and facilities as required. Read the full story.
Mental health clinicians from the Murrumbidgee Local Health District (MLHD) will be in Lockhart every working day for the next two weeks to provide support to residents following the deaths of an entire family this week.
Two clinicians will be based in the Lockhart Shire chambers building until September 25.
They are available between 10am and 4pm and no appointment is necessary. Read the full story.
Mourners near-filled St Mary's Catholic Church in Lockhart on Wednesday to support those rocked by the fatal shootings of a mother and three children, and the subsequent discovery of their father in a nearby dam.
Parish priest Anthony Schipp held a church service in the morning for those struggling with the tragedy, recalling humbling anecdotes of the three children and their mother, despite only posted to Lockhart four months ago.
Around 150 packed into the church for the impromptu service, a turnout indicative of the impact the tragedy has had on the area.
"It's indicative of the people looking for answers in this time of loss, grief and darkness, and we believe our Christain vision will help," Fr Schipp said.
St Joseph's is also offering counselling services and pastoral care, while a council meeting was held yesterday afternoon to discuss ongoing support networks. Read the full story.
There were simply no words to describe the pain felt in the Lockhart community on Wednesday.
Understandably, few in the town of about 900 wanted to talk about the horror that unfolded at the Hunt family farm, "Watch Hill".
"It's very devastating," one woman, who preferred not to be named, said.
The simple statement summed up the thoughts of many - words weren't needed; the heartache was easy to see as the verandah town struggled to comprehend why the lives of four - then later five - of their own had been taken so soon. Read the full story.
Fletcher, Mia and Pheobe Hunt are being remembered at St Joseph's Primary School, where the flags were flying at half mast on Wednesday.
Wagga Catholic Schools Office school services consultant Dave Collie said the main priority was to support the students, staff and community touched by the deaths of year four student Fletcher, year two student Mia and kindergarten student Phoebe.
"We ask that in supporting one another and in helping children process their emotions and respond to this tragedy that information is shared in a factual and age-appropriate manner," Mr Collie said. Read the full story.
A leading psychologist has warned of the difficulties of dealing with grieving children when facts aren't clear.
Child psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg advised there was no generic way to deal with the topic of death, but believed honesty and reassurance were key.
"I think it's pretty important to teach kids they can take comfort they're not alone in their feelings," Dr Carr-Gregg said.
"Saying we don't know is really good because we don't want to speculate as long as we reassure them they're safe." Read the full story.
* IF YOU NEED HELP: Support is available for anyone who may be distressed by calling Lifeline 131 114, Mensline 1300 789 978, Kids Helpline 1800 551 800.
