SUPPORTERS are invited to Billy Irwin's memorial cricket day on Saturday, March 28.
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On Friday night, the Eurobodalla showed its support for the family of the Mourya teen, who died in tragic circumstances in late February.
Julie Irwin, the mother of the late William “Billy” Irwin, said the family was overwhelmed at the support from the shire’s police, family friends, colleagues and the community since the loss of her 15-year-old son.
On March 27, the Adelaide Hotel, Moruya, hosted a fundraiser for the family.
However, Mrs Irwin says that on Saturday, March 28, it will be her family’s turn to say “thanks” at their historic property in Patons Road, outside Moruya.
“Billy’s brother, Brent, has organised with his mates a cricket picnic day on our property,” Mrs Irwin said.
“In our front paddock, we have a pitch that is 90 to 100 years old.
“The Dwyers Creek Mines used to have cricket days with other mining towns.”
She said Billy had loved a previous cricket picnic day and would be glad this one was being held.
“He loved bringing people together,” Mrs Irwin said.
Brent’s mate Jeffrey Afflick has helped organise the event.
“It will start at 12.30pm and people should bring a picnic lunch and chair for a nice, relaxed, fun day,” Mrs Irwin said.
“This is a way for our family to say thanks for the love and support from all the community to help us get through this.”
Mrs Irwin thanked the organisers of tonight’s benefit on behalf of her husband Jim, Brent, Billy’s big sisters Melanie and Rachael, and Rachael’s husband Josh Jokinen and the couple’s two children Matthew and Emily.
She said Narelle Connaughton had been a driving force and friend Shannon Bill had been “incredibly supportive”.
However, she said the whole community deserved thanks for helping search for Billy after he went missing on Friday, February 27 and for their support after he was found dead the following day.
“We just felt the love and were so touched that people would do this for us,” Mrs Irwin said.
“The whole family is moved by everyone’s support.
“When Billy was missing, the police were incredibly supportive and have been all through this.
“Then there were all the people who helped look for him.”
The family hoped enough funds would be raised tonight to honour Billy’s memory.
“We want to get a nice gravestone for him,” Mrs Irwin said.
She is mourning a young man who wanted to fly.
“He wanted to be a pilot,” she said.
“He had had his first lesson in Moruya.
“He enjoyed tennis, he loved dirt motorbike riding with his dad, mates and brother, he loved camping, swimming and kayaking.”
Yet Billy was talented indoors too, inspired by cooking shows to prepare feasts for the family.
“He could do beautiful restaurant style meals,” Mrs Irwin said.
“He could watch these shows and reproduce the meals for us.
“He loved gardening and his animals, especially his dogs and cats.”
He had a particular soft spot for a kitten he had bred himself and named Hunter.
“He was generous, thoughtful and very kind,” Mrs Irwin said.
“He never said a bad word about anybody.”
His aunt, giving his eulogy, remembered a young man with “strength of character”.
“On the day his mum commenced chemotherapy in Canberra Hospital, he organised his flight home from Kempsey, travelling on his own and changing planes and airlines at Sydney airport to be there for his mum,” she said.
The Mrch 27 benefit starts at 7pm and Eurobodalla businesses have got behind the family, donating goods and services for raffles.
The Shaggerz will perform. Entry is $10.
If distressed phone Lifeline on 131 114, beyondblue 1300 224 636 or the Kids Helpline on 1800 551 800.