Roozi Araghi and Luke Dorsett, who lost their lives in Tuesday's Dreamworld theme-park tragedy, were smart young Canberrans who stood up to bureaucracy and became heroes to hundreds of Canberra households.
The couple fought a four-year legal battle against the ACT government after they were dudded on a $17,000 stamp duty bill for their dream home in the capital's expanding northern suburbs in 2010.
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Dreamworld: 'A miracle anyone came out alive'
'Through the providence of God' is how Gold Coast Police describe the survival of two children in the Dreamworld disaster. Vision courtesy ABC News 24.
The victory, which came after the case went all the way to the ACT Supreme Court, paved the way for other buyers of house-and-land packages under the government's affordable purchase scheme to demand their money back.
The two public servants had queued overnight to secure their dream home, a terrace in the suburb of Crace, after being told the stamp duty on the purchase would be $20.
But when ACT Treasury hit them with a bill of nearly $17,000, they decided to fight, winning every round of the legal stoush until, in January 2014, the ACT government cut its losses and threw in the towel.
The government conceded that its decision not to pursue the case to the High Court opened the way for other buyers in the popular house-and-land schemes to come for their money, although it's unclear how much was ever paid back.
In the aftermath of the victory, Mr Araghi spoke of being "thrilled" with the outcome, but said the process had been draining.
Public servants at Mr Dorsett's workplace, the Department of Human Services in Canberra, were reeling on Wednesday morning at the death of their colleague and Kate Goodchild, who also worked at the department.
Social workers were on site on Wednesday at the department's service centre in Belconnen, where Ms Goodchild worked, and in its health programs office in Tuggeranong, Mr Dorsett's workplace.
Departmental boss Kathryn Campbell said the whole department was saddened.
"We are deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Kate Goodchild and Luke Dorsett," she said.
"Kate and Luke were well-liked and respected by their colleagues and will be greatly missed
"I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of Luke and Kate at this devastating time."
Mr Araghi's boss, Health Department Secretary Martin Bowles, paid a warm tribute to his fallen colleague on Wednesday.
"Roozi was larger than life, a genuine force of nature," Mr Bowles wrote to his staff.
"Roozi was an active leader of and contributor to our diversity networks and the cultural life at Health. Â
"He was always a champion for justice – whether it was supporting diversity and minority groups, or seeking fairness in how the system supports everyday people."
Mr Araghi was on secondment at the Australian Bureau of Statistics where he was a popular member ot the communications  team.
The ABSÂ said he was a dedicated, professional, hardworking team member, who was very well regarded.
"His loss is deeply felt, and our thoughts and wishes are with his family and friends," the bureau said in a statement.
"Roozi was helping with the organisation-wide transformation of our statistical processes.
"He had the rare ability to communicate complex and technical matters in a clear and easy to understand manner, while also bringing a lot of joy and fun to the workplace."
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