The 17-year-old from Rotorua died two days after the vehicle she was in was involved in a head-on crash with another vehicle just 500m from the polytechnic grounds on March 19. Four other students were hurt in the smash which also killed an Israeli tourist.
Two of those in the crash, Teegan Greenwood (18) and Lauren Duthie (17), were discharged from Dunedin Hospital earlier this week and attended the Balclutha service, which was held at the same time and contained similar elements as Miemie's funeral service in Rotorua. Telford chief executive Jonathan Walmisley represented Telford at that gathering.
Their parents, speaking to the Otago Daily Times after the service, paid tribute to the efforts of Telford management, staff and students who had all become "a family" over the last week.
Images of Miemie and her brief time at Telford flickered on a large screen above the stage at the City Impact Church as fellow students, friends and others, totalling more than 150, paid tribute to the girl they all said lit up a room and charmed everyone with her wide smile and bubbly personality.
Saddles and other equestrian equipment were laid over some hay bales on stage, emphasising how important horses were in her life. Pastor Beven Taylor said the two deaths had sent a ripple through the community.
Telford student association president Hayden Tapp said Miemie had an unforgettable smile and she was "a big ball of happiness and joy".
Friend Cameron Dawson said Miemie's personality was infectious and friends must remember her for the person she was and not the way in which she died.
The parents of two students, Keith Greenwood, from Pakarai, north of Auckland, and Andrew Duthie, of Tauranga, attended the Balclutha service, said they could not say enough about how supportive the community had been since the crash more than a week ago.
"Everyone has been fabulous, Telford, in particular, but we really want to thank Dunedin Hospital, St John, the nurses, the doctors, the rescue helicopter people, the rental car company and everyone else who has gone out of their way to help us," Mr Greenwood said.
Both men, although grateful their own daughters were starting to recover from their ordeal, said their lives would never be the same again.
