Nathan Weckert’s Sunshine Coast family, friends pay tribute to teen after tragic death

Nathan Weckert’s former coach has remembered the “Chancellor kid with a thundering right boot” as his heartbroken family plans a send-off fitting for the beloved 17-year-old.

Nathan Weckert had the world at his feet. He was two weeks from graduating high school, weeks from his school formal and was dreaming of playing football abroad.

He was a boy who grew up in awe of his big brother and lived life to the fullest.

Nathan was killed in a roadside tragedy on the Bruce Highway at Palmview on Monday night, mere kilometres from his Sippy Downs home.

A statement from police said Nathan had been travelling north on the highway when his car was understood to have hit a guardrail.

The police statement said Nathan had exited his vehicle and was waiting for help in the emergency stopping lane when another northbound car allegedly collided with him about 8pm.

His death sent shockwaves through the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane footballing communities and Nathan’s many different social circles.

Nathan left behind parents Shannon Dodson and Jason Weckert, siblings Corey, Jordyn and Ryan and three-month-old niece Harper.

His loved ones have described him as the “life of the party”, “flat out funny”, a boy who did everything at the fullest and who had a rare energy.

His mother Shannon said those who knew Nathan had their own special memory of him.

She said everyone had their own story and their own nickname.

And that’s how she wanted her son to be remembered.

“This is so cliche, but I want everyone to have their own memory of him and continue to remember him,” Mrs Dodson said.

“Keep talking about him, continue to ring me about him, drop in, I want people to continue to message him on Facebook.

“We can’t change what happened but I want everyone to learn to live with it.

“We will be OK.”

Noosa Lions have paid tribute to one of their own, Nathan Weckert, who was killed in a Bruce Highway crash on Monday night.

Mrs Dodson said Nathan was a simple kid who did not need possessions to be happy.

“He just loved his life. He loved his family, his football, his friends. He asked for nothing but gave everything, right literally until the last minute,” she said.

“He was an extremely fun child. Never angry. And there was nothing he couldn’t do.”

Nathan had made his debut for the Noosa Lions senior men’s at 15 and played in the FFA game against former Brisbane Roar legend Henrique.

He played for Brisbane Olympic’s under-23s, and at 16, was the youngest member of the entire senior squad.

His former coaches all knew he was destined for stardom.

Before Nathan obtained his licence in March, he’d catch a bus and a train three times a week for training and games for Olympic, all while working full time.

Prior to the pandemic, Nathan had been in discussions about moving to the United Kingdom to trial with English clubs.

“He did everything at 100 per cent,” Mrs Dodson said.

“And from a very early age we knew he was special.”

Mrs Dodson said her son idolised his big brother Corey, 25.

From fixing cars, to getting up to mischief, playing football to waking up in the middle of the night to watch their beloved Liverpool Football Club play the pair were inseparable.

“He was my best mate,” Corey said.

“We’d get up to so much s--- together.”

Brisbane club Olympic FC shared a touching tribute to player Nathan Weckert who was killed in a traffic crash on the Bruce Highway at Palmview on Monday.

Corey, who plays first team football for the Noosa Lions, got to run out with his baby brother for the first time last year.

“That’s the highlight of my career,” he said.

“If I could relive that day over and over I would.”

While the siblings were all raised to harbour no jealousy, Corey admitted Nathan’s ability with the ball at his feet got to him.

“He was so bloody good, it was unreal, so fluent, he just made everything so easy,” Corey said.

“He’s the same with my daughter.

“She will know who he is, we will make sure she grows up with him.”

Mrs Dodson said Nathan’s sporting abilities came from his father.

“I was proud. We knew he was something special,” Mr Weckert said.

“He was a joker too. Wanted to make everyone laugh.

“But so loyal and respectful. Everyone knew if they needed anything he would drop everything.”

Nathan’s big sister Jordyn, 18, said it was impossible to have a serious conversation with Nathan.

“He was a funny kid, but always there for you,” Jordyn said.

“And good at everything.”

Nathan’s coach at Chancellor State College, Jeremy Stewart, said it was a privilege to know him on and off the field.

Sunshine Coast Wanderers player and Chancellor State College coach Jeremy Stewart said Nathan Weckert was a tough and loyal larrikin.

“He was as tough as they come and skilful to boot, as you’d expect from a kid that grew up with a round ball at his feet,” Mr Stewart said.

“He was that player that every kid wanted on their team, the first picked, someone who would always give 100 per cent on the pitch and someone who always, without fail, would have his teammates’ backs.

“For those lucky enough to get to know Nathan off the field or court, they got to experience what he was like as a friend.

“A tough and loyal larrikin, always ready for a laugh and a good time with his mates. Nathan would train hard and play hard and he never let a mate down.

“He will always be loved by all that knew him and he’ll long be remembered as that “Chancellor kid” with the thundering right boot for those who were fortunate enough to watch him play.”

More than $40,000 has been raised for Nathan’s family in a matter of days.

Mrs Dodson said funeral arrangements were yet to be finalised however she promised the send off would be large.