A MEMORABLE SERVICE FOR MATT BARCLAY
April 1, 2012: Surf lifesaving's ‘family' came together this morning to mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Maroochydore competitor Matthew Barclay who died while competing at the Australian Surf Life Saving
Championships at Kurrawa last Wednesday.
Thousands of club members from around the nation gathered on the Kurrawa sand this morning for a memorial service for the 14-year-old who went missing during an under-15 board race.
His body was found by searching fellow lifesavers near the competition venue on Thursday morning.
Barclay's clubmates formed a phalanx around the podium where speakers paid tribute to his character, surf lifesaving skills and his courage.
His parents Stephen and Donna and sister Lauren attended the service and Mr Barclay received a standing ovation as he stepped to the microphone.
"I wanted to speak today to say thanks to the people who never stopped searching for Matty," Mr Barclay said.
He said that when his son had been found he was still ‘a beautiful boy' and still wearing his Maroochydore cap, green competition singlet, club swimmers and a black armband he had been wearing to honour another club member who died last week.
"We will remember Matty as a boy with a big smile who fitted as much as he could into his life of 14 years," Mr Barclay said.
Four clubmates placed Barclay's board at the podium then carried two wreaths to the water's edge which were then placed into a Maroochydore surfboat which was rowed through the break before the wreaths were
set afloat on the waters where Barclay died.
The Westpac Life Saver Rescue Helicopter hovered above the water as the surfboat crew lifted their oars and pointed them to the sky in a traditional surf lifesaving tribute to a fallen member.
Competition at the surf championships was suspended whenBarclay went missing on Wednesday and resumed further south on the Gold Coast at North Kirra on Friday.
The carnival is due to finish today with the glamour ironman and ironwoman events.
PHOTO
{youtube}U6SgJvQPYNw{/youtube}
On behalf of Surf Life Saving Australia