Victoria

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Bourke Street: Jewish community farewells 10-year-old victim Thalia Hakin

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Hundreds of people have joined a procession to mourn 10-year-old Bourke Street victim Thalia Hakin before a private service takes place for the popular schoolgirl on Wednesday.

Family, friends and members of the Jewish community gathered to farewell Thalia at Beth Rivkah Ladies College in St Kilda East. Her nine-year-old sister Maggie, who was also caught up in the crush of pedestrians, attended in a wheelchair with a cast on her leg 

A private burial will be held for Thalia after the procession at the Melbourne Chevra Kadisha cemetery in Lyndhurst. 

Thalia was one of five people killed in the Bourke Street rampage, which left dozens of others injured. Her mother, Nathalie, was also badly hurt. 

Up to 1000 members of the Jewish community have already come together on Sunday evening for a memorial service to honour the victims. 

The Sunday event was closed to the media, but it is understood Rabbi Daniel Rabin, president of Rabbinical Council of Victoria, addressed the packed service before Hebrew prayers.

He told those gathered that it was a time for everyone to come together and add more kindness to their lives.

Two of Thalia's classmates led prayers and spoke of their friend, according to attendees.