Echuca-born and raised Ashlee Good was an incredible athlete who protected her injured daughter while her own life was tragically taken away.
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Ms Good featured heavily in the Riv during her youth, excelling in basketball and even participating in the 2000 Olympics torch relay.
A former Echuca resident and trained osteopath, she represented Victoria in her sport before moving to Sydney.
She welcomed daughter Harriet nine months ago with partner Dan Flanagan.
During Saturday’s horrific events, Ms Good spent the last moments of her life saving her baby.
Ms Good was with her nine-month-old daughter Harriet at Westfield Bondi Junction on Saturday, April 13, when the attacker leant inside the pram Harriet was in and stabbed her, before attacking Ms Good.
Two brothers heard Ms Good’s screams before she ran to them with her injured baby and begged for help.
Bystanders then ran to the mother and daughter with anything they could find to compress the bleeding, including towels and blankets.
The men caring for Harriet were ushered into a nearby store by staff, while others in the area went to Ms Good’s aid, kneeling beside her to keep her calm.
Ms Good was rushed to St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney by ambulance under police escort, but tragically she passed away shortly after arrival.
St Joseph’s College Echuca, Ms Good’s former school, released a statement on Monday.
“Our St Joseph’s College community extends heartfelt sympathy to the family, friends and loved ones of Ashlee Good,” they said.
“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the tragic events that unfolded in Sydney on Saturday, and our thoughts and prayers are with all who have been affected.
“Ash is a former student of St Joseph’s College Echuca and was highly respected and admired by her friends, peers and staff members.
“The impact of this unthinkable tragedy has touched so many, and will continue to be deeply felt throughout our community.”
Ms Good was a renowned basketballer in her youth, playing at the state representative level.
She participated in the Victoria Country High Performance Program, and represented Vic Country in the under-16 Women’s State Team in 2000 and under-18 Women’s State Team at the National Championships in 2001 and 2002.
Ms Good’s former Vic Country coach, Jenni Watson, spoke to the Riv in 2002 about her.
“She’s the hardest-working player to ever come out of Echuca … she’s got where she is purely through hard work, dedication and sacrifice,” she said.
Basketball Victoria released a statement on Facebook on Monday expressing their grief and condolences.
“The basketball community across Victoria are still in shock and mourning at the passing of Ashlee Good in the devastating Westfield Bondi Junction attack,” it read.
“Ashlee is being fondly remembered by our community as a basketballer growing up in the Murray River town of Echuca, playing locally, and representing at Country Championships from a young age.
“On behalf of the entire Victorian basketball community our condolences to Ash’s family and friends during this very difficult time.”
Ms Good was chosen as one of eight Echuca residents to participate in the 2000 Sydney Olympics torch relay.
Speaking to the paper in 2000, she expressed her excitement in being selected to carry the torch through town.
“I didn’t expect it ... it was a bit of a shock,” she said.
“I was just really excited.”
Her family released a statement on Sunday morning thanking emergency services, first responders, hospital staff, and the general public.
“We appreciate the well wishes and thoughts of members of the Australian public who have expressed an outpouring of love for Ashlee and our baby girl,” they said.
“We can report that after hours of surgery yesterday our baby is currently doing well. We are so grateful for the expert care and attention of the medical team at Sydney Children’s Hospital.
“To the two men who held and cared for our baby when Ashlee could not — words cannot express our gratitude.
“We are struggling to come to terms with what has occurred. We would appreciate peace and privacy while we work through this as a family.”
Ashlee Good’s daughter, Harriet, is currently in a serious but stable condition, improving from her critical condition.
“I speak on behalf of the entire nation who held its breath over the weekend that (the) young nine-month-old girl who went to Sydney Children’s Hospital is now in a serious, stable condition,” NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said to Sydney radio station 2GB on Monday morning.
“So she’s come down from critical.
“There is a chance over the course of the next day that she’ll be moved on to a ward... that is incredibly relieving, I think, for our country.”
A GoFundMe for her partner Dan and daughter Harriet was created by Steven Foxwell, the general manager of Isagenix Australia and NZ, a company Ms Good worked with. As of Tuesday afternoon, over $441,000 out of a $100,000 target has been raised.
“These funds are being collected for the benefit of Dan and Harriet to give them the freedom to go forward into the future without financial burden or worry,” Mr Foxwell said.
“We know that no amount of money will ever substitute her presence in their lives and thank you for your generous donations to date.”
Donations can be made at www.gofundme.com/f/Ash-Good
NSW Premier Chris Minns swiftly announced a coronial inquiry into the tragedy on Monday, allocating up to $18 million for an extensive and timely inquest.
Cadet Journalist