By Mike McRoberts
A survivor of the Christchurch earthquake wants her brother’s death to have a positive influence on her.
Amy Cooney and her brother Jaime Gilbert had been working together at a city bar when the building collapsed on top of them. They were still holding hands when rescuers found them.
Ms Cooney survived, her brother did not.
As hard as the past year has been, Ms Cooney says she is determined her brother's death will be a positive influence on her.
“It's the last thing I can do for Jaime physically,” she says.
Over the past year Ms Cooney has learnt a lot about building materials.
She helped to construct a monument for Mr Gilbert's headstone unveiling next week, and has tried to understand what happened the day falling masonry took her brothers life.
Shortly after being pulled from the rubble, Ms Cooney told 3 News she thought Mr Gilbert had saved her life.
“I'd say so, most definitely, that was his intention anyway."
But Jaime's unselfish act came at a cost, particularly for his two children Levi and India, and his partner Natalie O’Brien, who courageously spoke at his funeral.
“You inspire me to stand tall and face this hard and long road ahead," Ms O'Brien said.
She is back in Christchurch for the anniversary and unveiling, but she and her children now live in Tauranga.
“I just wanted them to settle and have some normality in their lives and there's so many reminders in the city. Everywhere I look it's somewhere I went with Jaime, or something we shared or something we did and I just find it a little bit too confronting.”
Ms Cooney also thought about fleeing the city.
She had made plans to move to Brisbane, but after she gave evidence at the Royal Commission she decided to stay.
“I decided ultimately the best place I could stay is actually here and teach my children not to run because of the fear of anything, but to stay and be strong and be part of rebuilding the city.”
She literally wants to help rebuild the city - the former hospitality worker has applied to train in construction management.
“I guess for me it’s a personal way to get directly involved and try to make sure the rebuild happens right,” she says.
3 News