17-year-old Ben Austin has been farewelled at a funeral service in Melbourne. The young cricketer died last month after being struck in the neck with a ball during practice.
00:00An incredibly sad occasion to farewell a life cut tragically short.
00:07Ben Austin was just 17 years old when last month he was practicing in the Nets cricket with his best mates.
00:15He was struck on the neck with a cricket ball, hospitalised and then later died in hospital.
00:21And today hundreds of mourners, friends, family, his teammates from his cricket club, his footy club and his schools that he attended turned out here at Junction Oval to remember and farewell Ben Austin.
00:35This ground holds a special place in the heart of Jase, his father and Ben because dad and son used to come here to watch cricket games and that game of cricket was something that Ben Austin adored so much.
00:49I guess there's some solace for the family in that he passed playing the game that he played all year round.
00:55We heard today that he would train until it went dark. He loved it that much.
01:01He was remembered as a kind, loyal, empathetic, generous brother to two younger brothers, a friend to many and someone who would give his all really for his friends, his teammates, his schoolmates.
01:17And there were several personal tributes, touching tributes from his family and some of his best friends.
01:23Ben was the type of person who'd sacrifice anything for you.
01:27He would always put your best interests before his and for that he was the best friend I could ask for.
01:32As I look back at all the great memories, the thing I remember the most is that man's cheeky smile and him running around if there's no worries in life.
01:44He'd bring this different energy to the game.
01:48Even though we're both on opposing teams, he'd always wish the best for me.
01:58At the end of today's funeral service, there was a lighthearted moment when Jase, Ben Austin's father, asked the audience, the people gathered here today, rather to get up and sing the Collingwood Football Club anthem.
02:12And that's because Ben Austin was a loyal supporter of the Magpies.
02:16So that was a lovely moment before the final piece of today's funeral when Ben Austin's coffin was lifted and put into the hearse and followed by his family in a car for one final lap of Junction Oval today before a private service with his family later.
02:38But Ben Austin, 17 year old, honouring his memory and his life today, a life cut tragically short.
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