‘Pillar of community’ to be honoured with paddle out at Snapper Rocks

The southern Gold Coast community will honour a woman known for her bright pink lipstick and contributions to the community this weekend with a paddle out at Snapper Rocks.

Bonnie Harris has been remembered as a pillar of the community and a bright, shining light. Picture: Supplied

The southern Gold Coast community will gather for a paddle out at Coolangatta to honour a woman who was known as a bright, bubbly, pillar of the community.

A sea of pink will gather at Snapper Rocks on Sunday morning in recognition of mum-of-two Bonnie Harris, 44, who never failed to don her spunky, bright pink lipstick wherever she went.

Paying tribute to her best friend, Tania Ellis said Ms Harris would be sorely missed by the community after tragically passing two weeks ago, just one week before her 45th birthday.

It’s unclear exactly how she died but it’s understood to relate to some sort of accidental fall.

Ms Harris finished her schooling at Coombabah High before studying marketing and travelling the world. Picture: Supplied

“Bonnie had a bright personality, banter, infectious laugh and had an ability to connect with anyone she met,” Ms Ellis said.

“She was my best friend - like my sister - she got involved with everyone and everything and touched so many people’s lives, not just mine, but the surfing community down south, the gym community, the school community.”

Described as a true Gold Coaster, Ms Harris grew up frothing the surf at Snapper Rocks alongside her sister and brother.

Ms Harris loved getting involved in her kids’ passions, including Kauai’s “mad passion” for rugby league and Sass’ love for Oztag. Picture: Supplied

Along with her involvement at the Rainbow Bay SLSC, Ms Harris was a prominent member of the Biggera Waters Primary School P&C, Runaway Rugby League Club, the Gold Coast Performance Centre and more.

“She was a huge part of the community, she never wanted the recognition or praise...even as she raised some of the biggest sums for these clubs,” Ms Ellis said.

A Go Fund Me for the Harris family was started by Ms Ellis, raising nearly $6000 so far which will go towards supporting Ms Harris’ two children Sass, 12 and Kauai, 8.

“The money that is raised will go to her children...something special for (them) to make their lives a little brighter and to ensure they keep living life to their fullest, as Bonnie only would have wanted the absolute best for them.”

Bonnie and Tania met when their kids began at Biggera Primary School. Picture: Supplied

Ms Ellis says she can already feel the hole her best friend left behind in the community, describing her as her “soulmate”.

“I’ve never been a hugger but she would absolutely squeeze the life out of you, but ever since she’s been gone I’ve been giving everyone a proper hug,” she said.

“I would like her to be remembered as that bright, shining light that always wore pink lips...with a contagious bloody laugh and someone who always had her door open.”