The wife of an Australian tourist who died in Bali just nine days after their wedding has pledged to buy a defibrillator for the hospital where medical staff tried to revive him.
Jacob Vennix, 32, and his new wife, Kimberley Fuller, 38, had been relaxing at Pasut Beach, about 30km west of Denpasar last Monday when tragedy struck.
He died after being washed out to sea by a strong current while swimming at the estuary.
The Adelaide father-of-two was unable to be revived when his body returned to shore.
In a heartwarming post on Monday, Ms Fuller thanked those who had donated to the GoFundMe set up to help her and offered support as she and her two young sons grieve.
‘Thank you to every kind human who has sent me messages, offered to chat, lend a hand with the boys and brought flowers and food. Your thoughts really lighten my spirit to know there is so much good in the world,’ she began.
‘I would also like to thank those friends and strangers that have contributed to the GoFundMe page.
‘The money raised will help bring Jacob home and cover funeral expenses.
Jacob Vennix was honeymooning with his new wife Kimberley Fuller (pictured together) in Bali when he tragically drowned
‘I thought I booked travel insurance but I didn’t and his life insurance lapsed so the money is greatly appreciated to help ease the pressure adjusting to life as a single mum with a mortgage.’
Ms Fuller added: ‘We also plan to buy a defibrillator for the hospital Jacob was taken to as they didn’t have one.’
The grieving widow also shared a plea to fellow tourists on the dangers of swimming in the sea.
‘Please guys, if you’re not familiar with the conditions of the ocean, don’t be like me and assume if they say it’s “fine” to swim in, it is,’ she said.
‘Other countries don’t have warning signs like us.’
A GoFundMe page set up by Mr Vennix’s sister Claire Brown, has revealed how selfless he was in helping others – including running a 12km race blindfolded just a few months before his death to raise money for the vision-impaired.
‘Kimberley and Jacob met in February 2022 at a Coles supermarket when Jacob saw his now-stepson Isaac playing with a Guide Dogs donation box,’ she wrote.
‘Ironically, in a twist of fate two years later their son Cole was born with a bilateral optic nerve hypoplasia impacting his vision.
Ms Fuller (pictured with Mr Vennix on their wedding day) has pledged to buy the hospital where Mr Vennix was treated a defibrillator
‘In September 2024 Jacob ran the City to Bay blindfolded to raise awareness that vision-impaired people can do the same things as those with full sight.
‘Jacob and Kimberley raised money for the Guide Dogs SA/NT.’
Ms Brown revealed that her brother had recently resigned from his job to ’embark on a career in disability support, a career close to his heart’.
Her sister-in-law will also need support in the wake of his death.
‘Kimberley is always there for others, lending a hand and offering support without hesitation.’ she said.
‘(She) is now confronted with the unforeseen challenge of saying goodbye to Jacob and adjusting to life as a grieving single mother of two young boys.’
More than $38,000 has been raised so far.
The day after his death, Ms Fuller paid tribute to ‘the most beautiful human, partner and father’.
Mr Vennix (pictured with his son and stepson) died after being washed out to sea by a strong current at Pasut Beach
Ms Fuller captioned her heartfelt social media post with photo of their hands intertwined taken ‘during the last night I had with him’.
‘All he wanted was to marry me and love and look after me and the boys. I will make sure the boys know what an angel he was,’ she wrote.
‘Now an angel in heaven. I love you my darling. I’m so sorry.’
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese led the messages of condolences for Mr Vennix, describing the tragedy as ‘such deeply sad news’.
‘Our thoughts are with Jacob’s wife, family and friends,’ he wrote.
Friends paid tribute to Mr Vennix on his wife’s post, with one saying he was ‘one of the nicest, most amazing gentlemen I’ve known’.
Another said he was ‘such a nice guy’ and that it had been ‘an honour to have gotten to know him’.
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said she was ‘heartbroken for Mr Vennix’s wife and loved ones’ (pictured, the couple on their wedding day)
One friend complimented Ms Fuller for her post, writing: ‘You’ve found perfect words for an unimaginable situation.
‘We’ve been thinking of you all day! Sending all our love and we’re here if you need anything.’
Another added: ‘The love you shared was so special and beautiful to witness, forever in our hearts and thoughts.’
Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong, who represents the couple’s home state of South Australia in the Senate, said she was ‘heartbroken for Mr Vennix’s wife and loved ones’.
‘I know all Australians will be thinking of them,’ she said.
‘The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our consular officials in Bali will continue to provide consular assistance.’
Mr Vennix became caught in a rip and was swept out to sea when his wife immediately called for help.
A local fisherman rushed to help Mr Vennix in his boat, but struggled to reach him due to the shifting currents.
Ms Fuller (left) remembered Mr Vennix (right) as ‘the most beautiful human, partner and father’
Tabanan Police spokesperson I Gusti Made Berata said when the fisherman was finally able to drag the Aussie on board, a large wave flipped the boat.
‘The victim was later swept by the wave onto the beach,’ he said.
‘Some locals and the victim’s wife who were waiting on the beach immediately tried to save the victim.
‘The victim’s condition was unconscious.’
Heartbreaking footage showed Mr Vennix’s wife carrying the large cushion of a beach chair into the water to help bring Mr Vennix to shore.
The victim’s wife performed CPR with the assistance of locals and he was eventually taken to Tabanan Public Hospital, where he was declared dead.
It is understood he and Ms Fuller had wed on December 21, nine days before the freak incident.
Photographs showed the couple tying the knot at the Hard Days Night function centre in Adelaide.
It is understood he and Ms Fuller had wed on December 21, nine days before the freak incident
The couple smiled from ear to ear as they exchanged their vows in front of a celebrant.
One photo showed the couple happily posing with a marriage certificate on one of the lounges at the venue.
‘Beautiful day marrying a beautiful man x,’ Ms Fuller captioned a photo on Facebook.
Mr Vennix described Ms Fuller as ‘my stunning wife’ and said he couldn’t ‘be prouder’ in a heartbreaking post a day before.
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