Image Flat teen Ben Hunter’s mum thankful for support after Nambour vigil

Teammates and opposition players have exchanged jerseys and performed a haka in honour of Ben Hunter before the community gathers to celebrate his life on Sunday.

The football community will gather to celebrate the life of a talented rugby league junior who was killed after being struck by a car last month.

Benjamin Hunter, also known as Ben or BJ, died on June 25 when he was hit by a car on Image Flat Rd near Nambour about 11.50pm.

A public memorial service will be held on July 23 at 10.30am at Sunshine Coast Stadium to celebrate Ben’s life and achievements.

The 16-year-old was a member of the Melbourne Storm junior academy, a Caloundra State High School student and Langer Trophy player, a Brisbane Broncos supporter and a talented Nambour Crushers and Sunshine Coast Falcons player.

On Wednesday afternoon, following the Caloundra State High School and Mabel Park State High School Langer Trophy match, both teams joined arms for a minute’s silence before players from both sides performed a tribute haka in honour of their former teammate.

It was also the second week in a row that the teams gathered before the match to hold a moment of silence.

Caloundra SHS have retired Ben’s former number 11 jersey for the remainder of the season.

Caloundra State High School and Mabel Park State High School players stand together for a moment of silence in honour of Sunshine Coast student and rugby league talent Benjamin Hunter. Picture: Kylie McLellan

The Caloundra Sharks also took out the Ben Hunter Memorial Shield on July 14 playing against Ben‘s former team the Nambour Crushers under 16s.

Hundreds of rugby league supporters from clubs across the Sunshine Coast paid tribute to Ben in an emotional candlelight vigil at the Nambour Crushers Football Club on June 28.

A candlelight vigil was held for talented rugby league player Benjamin Hunter, 16, on June 28.

Following the event, Benjamin’s mum Natalie Gorzalka said in a Facebook post that she was “so proud” of her son and how he had touched the lives of so many people.

“So many of you have reached out telling us how Ben made your own child feel worthy and welcomed,” she wrote.

Mum Natalie Gorzalka has paid tribute to her son, Benjamin Hunter, following an emotional candlelight vigil at the Nambour Crushers football oval. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“That was Ben to a tee.

“He didn’t care if you were popular, he didn’t care if you didn’t like football, if you were nice to him then he was your friend.

“No parent could ask for their child to be more than that.

“Yes he was a great footballer but he was an even better human being.”

Benjamin Hunter, 16, died when a car struck him on Image Flat Rd, near Nambour, as he walked home from the gym.

Ms Gorzalka also acknowledged Benjamin’s teammates.

“To see how all these young men conducted themselves in such a respectful way makes my heart swell,” she said.

She said that Crushers’ plans to retire Ben’s number 11 jersey for the rest of the season, and that other clubs were considering the same move, had touched her heart.

Rugby league clubs from across the state conducted their own tributes to Benjamin and posted them to social media following the Crushers’ candlelight vigil.

Beachmere Rugby League Club players gathered on their oval with their own candles.

The Caloundra Sharks Junior Rugby League Club ran lights at its football oval, while Caboolture Snakes Junior Rugby League Club players let go of Crushers’ coloured balloons and made their own flower tribute.

The Stanley River Rugby League Football Club placed candles around its own number 11 jersey.

Ms Gorzalka also acknowledged the contributions to the fundraiser that was created following her son’s death and said it would go towards giving Benjamin “the send off he really deserves”.

“From the bottom of my heart, I thank you,” Ms Gorzalka said.

The GoFundMe has so far raised more than $28,000.

Search for “GoFundMe” and “BJ’s funeral and family fund” to find the fundraiser.