Eleanor moved to Riddells Creek to help kids. She died saving them

November 12, 2024 journo

Between two kids, volunteering for community clubs and her life-changing work as a speech pathologist, Eleanor Bryant was run off her feet. She was the kind of person who managed to fit more into a day, and into a life, than most of us – and she wanted more time.

“She wanted to give more, but she couldn’t – like, you only have 24 hours in a day,” a friend told The Age.

Tributes have rolled in for caring, talented speech pathologist Eleanor Bryant, 43, who was killed at a preschool in Riddells Creek on Monday.Credit: Marija Ercegovac

“Eleanor just gave more than she had time for to our community.

“She never lost contact with any of her friends … she’s always kept in touch with everyone.”

Bryant moved with her two children and husband Tim to Riddells Creek, a leafy town in the Macedon Ranges, three years ago, her friend said.

The 43-year-old’s final act was moving children at Macedon Ranges Montessori Preschool on Monday out of the path of an oncoming water tanker before she was struck and killed.

Her home, about five minutes away, was mostly quiet on Tuesday morning, aside from the occasional sound of a dog barking. Later, her family issued a statement, saying their “beautiful Eleanor” was the light of their lives.

“A cherished mother, wife, daughter and sister, and beloved by all her family and enormous network of friends,” the statement said. “Her infectious smile, sense of humour and passion for life made her a joy to be around. There is an enormous hole in our hearts today.”

For Becky Burton, Bryant’s death extends beyond the grief of losing a family friend. For three years, Bryant did transformative work with her daughter Milla, who was born profoundly deaf.

Before Bryant, Milla, then three, had cycled through several therapists after struggling to engage with their methods.

“We were told her future in terms of language development was very uncertain,” Burton told Nine News. It was possible that Milla might not be able to attend a mainstream school.

“And then Eleanor came on board and absolutely changed my daughter’s life and my family’s life.”

Burton, a mother of four, said she had never met someone so engaging and down to earth. The therapy sessions would revolve around playing and whatever Milla wanted to do that day.

“If Milla wanted to have the lesson under the table, [Bryant] would sit under the table with her. If she wanted to have it out on the trampoline, she would be out on the trampoline,” she said.

Milla went from hating therapy to starting prep in a mainstream school.

“When I found [about Bryant’s death] I was hysterical in the kitchen just saying: ‘It’s not fair, this is not fair, it can’t be happening’,” Burton said.

She still hasn’t been able to tell Milla. “I don’t know how we are going to navigate forward from here.”

Eleanor Bryant (centre) takes part in a Macedon Ranges Running Club event with husband Tim.Credit: Instagram

The preschool where Bryant was hailed a “hero” was a mess of debris and crushed metal on Tuesday, the shed caved in and branches strewn about the playground.

A 68-year-old truck driver is believed to have lost control of the water tanker, hitting a bridge and a car before ploughing through the preschool playground about 2.20pm on Monday.

While Bryant shielded children from the truck, a three-year-old child had what a detective described as a “very near miss”, sustaining serious but not life-threatening injuries to their arm. Other children were also close by.

Police are yet to interview the driver, who remains in hospital under observation.

On Tuesday, floral tributes and notes accumulated outside the preschool where Eleanor Bryant was killed.Credit: Eddie Jim

Detectives are investigating whether he could have suffered a medical episode.

Down the road from the preschool on Tuesday, council workers opened up the local Mechanics Institute Hall, inviting grieving locals inside for comfort and support.

A pair of women sat on couches at the nearby Uniting Church, which also opened just for the day. Their voices were thick with tears as they remembered their friend, while retired minister D’Arcy Wood listened with a cup of tea in hand.

Burton said Bryant’s final act, moving several children out of the path of the water tanker, was a testament to her selflessness and passion for children.

“She would put anyone before herself and that’s clearly shown in what happened yesterday.

“She was a hero in life, and she was a hero in death.”