Cooper Onyett drowned in a pool at Belfast Aquatics in the rural Victorian town of Port Fairy just before 11am on Friday.
The boy, who attended Merrivale Primary School in Warrnambool, was on his first overnight camp with his grade 2 class at the time of the tragedy.
Heartfelt tributes have been shared online following the boy’s tragic death.
One grieving family member said the boy had “so much left to do” and so much of his life left to live.
“This wasn’t how your life was meant to go, this wasn’t how your story was meant to end, you had so much left to do, so much left to achieve, so much left to give,” she posted on Facebook.
“I hadn’t had a chance to teach you how to drive the Polaris yet. Jett hadn’t taught you how to mow the paddocks.
“The world hadn’t even seen the half of you yet. Life just isn’t damn well fair sometimes.”
“May you rest peacefully dear Cooper.”
An online fundraiser has raised nearly $84,000 to cover funeral expenses and support his heartbroken mother Skye Meinen.
Ms Meinen, who spoke to News Corp, said she was still waiting for details about her son’s death.
“Cooper was eight years old when he tragically lost his life on Friday 21st May in a swimming accident whilst on school camp in Port Fairy,” the fundraiser read.
Source: 9News
