Community’s touching display after death of missing hiker

A community is in mourning after the body of hiker Lily Hooper was found in dense bushland following an eight-day search.

The 18-year-old disappeared while she went on a bushwalk in the Nattai National Park in the NSW Southern Highlands.

The tragedy deepened when the teenager’s parents were first told she was found alive in a case of miscommunication.

Hundreds of people gathered at Willis Park in Oakdale for a dusk vigil on Friday.

Residents filled the memorial with candles, flowers, purple balloons and fairy lights at the sporting grounds in Sydney’s south-west to pay tribute to the teenager.

Wollondilly mayor Matt Gould invited the community to continue to contribute to the memorial over the weekend.

“Hundreds and hundreds of candles, lights and flowers now fill Willis Park in memory of Lily,” Gould said.

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“The community memorial will remain open all weekend.

“Anyone who would like to visit, leave some flowers or add a light for Lily is welcome to come down at any time.

“This is simply a place where we can come together, in our own time and in our own way, to remember Lily and be there for one another.

“If you don’t want to you don’t need to bring anything at all.

“Come for a few minutes or stay a little longer, leave something in Lily’s memory or simply spend a quiet moment there.”

Hooper’s former school Camden High shared a tribute to the 18-year-old on social media.

“On behalf of the Camden High School community, we extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Hooper family,” the statement said.

“During this time of immense sadness, our thoughts are with the entire family, along with all those who knew and loved Lily.

“May your beautiful spirit live on in the hearts of all who loved you, Lily.”

The community has rallied around a fundraiser run by the Rotary Club of Wollondilly North, which has raised almost $30,000 for the Hooper family.

“On behalf of all the members of The Rotary Club of Wollondilly North, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Hooper Family,” the club said in a statement.

“Lily was the most vibrant, active and caring person with a smile that could light up a room whenever she walked in.”