Hundreds unite to celebrate Magik Col's life

Hundreds have rallied to celebrate the life of a local legend whose tragic death continues to send shock waves through the community

HUNDREDS have rallied to celebrate the life of a local legend whose tragic death continues to send shock waves through the community.

Colin "Magik” Hastie died on April 16, hours after he was found slumped on the veranda of his Macadamia Dr home.

A 39-year-old woman has been charged with manslaughter over his death.

Yesterday, hundreds of Maleny residents gathered in Tesch Park to celebrate the life of "Magik Col”, or as he was known by some, the "Philosopher of Maple Street”.

Organiser Sabine Wienand had known Mr Hastie since she moved to Maleny 28 years ago and remembered him as the "Maleny angel”.

"He touched so many people,” she said.

"Whenever I saw him in town he would stop and have chat.

"He was such a wonderful man who never said a bad thing about anyone.

"He would always say things to me like 'keep on smiling beautiful' or 'keep on shining a light'.”

Ms Wienand said she decided to organise the event to give the community a chance to unofficially farewell Mr Hastie and more importantly celebrate his life.

She felt she needed to do something considering the toll his death had taken on so many in Maleny.

"There was so much grief and there are still a lot of people angry. There were so many emotions coming out,” she said.

"This is a chance for some closure and for everyone to come together and say goodbye.”

Ms Wienand said she was overwhelmed, but not surprised, so many Maleny residents united to remember Mr Hastie. Those in attendance wrote messages for Mr Hastie and his family on cards that were hung in a tree.