Tragic twist after Melbourne woman, 30, dies in car crash
A Melbourne woman has died in a car crash just days before jetting off on a holiday to Bali, where her boyfriend was planning to propose.
Georgia McDonald was driving from her university in Wagga Wagga, NSW, to Ferntree Gully, in Melbourne’s southeast, on Friday night when she collided with another car on the Melba Highway in Glenburn.
She was just 45 minutes away from home, where her mum Rachel and boyfriend Tom Van Staveren were waiting for her arrival.
Ms McDonald, who was due to graduate as an oral health therapist in six weeks, had been “beyond excited” for her Sunday flight to Bali to celebrate her 30th birthday.
Mr Van Staveren was planning to propose to the university student on their dream holiday, her friend Tallula Galea revealed in a fundraiser created for her devastated family.
“Georgia was soon to be proposed to by Tom on their holiday in Bali, he was picking up her perfect engagement ring on Saturday morning,” she wrote on the GoFundMe.
“This is what made the romantic holiday so much more exciting for her.”
Tributes for 'kind-hearted woman'
Ms McDonald, who already had a job lined up at a clinic she had worked at for 10 years, has been remembered as a “beautiful, intelligent, kind-hearted woman”.
“She worked so hard, excelling in her grades. Her teachers said she was ‘exceeding expectations’, and her patients loved her. She was so proud of herself,” Ms Galea said.
“Georgia has left behind so many people that loved and adored her, for her beautiful smile, and constant laughter.
“[Her] love did not discriminate, she shared her love with anyone and everyone. The impact she made on everyone who she crossed paths with will never be forgotten.”
Ms Galea said she created the GoFundMe to raise money for Ms McDonald's funeral.
Any excess funds will go towards finishing the home the 30-year-old shared with her mum.
Mr Van Staveren took to Facebook following the “sudden and tragic passing” of his “soon-to-be fiancée”.
“I kindly ask for your generosity in helping cover the costs of her memorial instead of giving flowers so that we can provide my gorgeous girl the send off she deserves,” he wrote alongside a link to the fundraiser.
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Fatal crash under investigation
An investigation into the fatal crash is ongoing, Victoria Police said.
It’s understood the two cars collided around 8.20pm on Friday. The driver of the other vehicle — a 42-year-old man — stopped at the scene and was not injured.
“The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and the investigation is ongoing,” police said in a statement.
Anyone who witnessed the crash, has dashcam footage or information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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