Rhys skatepark sendoff
RHYS Holland loved skateboarding, so it was only fitting that his mates remembered the teen who died this month with a skatepark tribute.
Rhys, 14, fell more than 2.5 metres through a shade sail at Wyrallah Rd Public School sustaining critical head injuries on September 30.
He died in hospital a week later.
His friend, Izak Stevens, 16, organised the tribute at Goonellabah Skatepark on Saturday.
"My brother (William) was best friends with him, so we made the connection through that," he said. "We're handling it about as good as you can be at this stage."
At least 70 people attended the tribute, titled Roll 4 Rhys. At midday, a minute of silence was held and a skateboarding competition followed.
Izak said the large turnout was a testament to Rhys's character. "I just made a Facebook page and invited friends through that - no phone calls or texts," he said.
"He knew most of these people, so it just shows how much he was respected in the community."
Another of Rhys's friends, Harrison Duffy, 15, had "Roll 4 Rhys" written on his skateboard. "We came down here every weekend and after school," Harrison said. "He was a good proud skater and I liked skating with him. I hope Roll 4 Rhys gets written down in the books every year for 13th of October."
Rhys's ex-girlfriend, Tahlia Brice, 14, tied flowers to a pole at the skatepark in memory of Rhys on Saturday.
"He was outgoing, bubbly and really sweet and caring," she said.
"We'll try and get (the flowers) back up again next year."
Harrison said people were trying to come to terms with what happened to Rhys.
"It was a shock when it happened but you can't really do much about it," he said. "It would have been nice if he was with us now because he would have loved this day. He'd be so proud of this."
Rhys's funeral will be held at Gummifera Gardens in Goonellabah today at 10am.
