Memorial for cameraman James Rose who died on a jet that crashed into Port Phillip Bay

A 30-year-old man who died in the mid-air tragedy near Mt Martha has been remembered as “a big, soft-hearted loveable boy who just wanted to be everyone’s friend”.

James Rose was farewelled by hundreds of people in a memorial at the Hawthorn Arts Centre on Sunday.

The beloved cameraman, 30, died along with pilot Stephen Gale when the fighter jet they were flying in collided with another aircraft and crashed into Port Philip Bay near Mt Martha on November 19.

Rose had worked on TV hits like MasterChef and The Block. He was filming for a documentary at the time of his death.

His father David told the packed hall the Rose family had been inundated with tributes for the “big, soft-hearted loveable boy who just wanted to be everyone’s friend.”

MC Ernie Dingo on stage with James’ parents David and Judi Rose, James’ friend Peter Lewis (far left), his brother Dale and James’ partner Emma Belton. Picture: Ian Currie

James Rose, 30, was filming for a documentary at the time of his death. Picture: cameracrew.com.au

“These kind words have been painkillers and have made us smile,” Mr Rose said. “Eventually the smile fades and the pain rises again.”

“Love you forever Jimmy.”

The packed out hall heard that James had lived a life full of adventure, from impaling himself on his best mate’s back fence while dressed in a tuxedo to commuting 1900km from Noosa to Geelong for a job – and being 30 minutes early.

Older brother Dale said James had even stopped his house from burning down during a boys’ night gone bad.

James’ father David Rose speaks at the memorial. Picture: Ian Currie

Chef Manu Feildel attended the service. Picture: Ian Currie

James and pilot Stephen Gale were on the plane that crashed into Port Phillip Bay near Mt Martha. Picture: Supplied

The unofficial dress code of Sunday’s memorial service was crocs and socks, in honour of Rose’s favourite footwear.

Girlfriend of two years Emma told the crowd she arrived at their first date to find James “wearing crocs, shorts, a cardigan and a white beanie dancing to music with a red bull in his hand”. “I thought you’ve gotta be f**king kidding me,” she said to roars of laughter. “Three hours later they were stacking up the chairs around us. He was the best person I ever met.”

As well as being a skilled and immensely popular cameraman, Rose was also a “freakish” rugby player and was one of only two people to play more than 50 times for the Trinity Grammar first team.

MC Ernie Dingo speaking at the event. Picture: Ian Currie

There were hundreds of people at the Hawthorn Arts Centre for the memorial. Picture: Ian Currie

“He was generous and inclusive and his energy was contagious,” former coach Peter Lewis said.

“There is no doubt he was the glue that held Trinity rugby together.”

After the speeches, a video was played with a series of messages from those who had worked with James. The common theme throughout all of them was his kind-hearted nature, his infectious enthusiasm for the job and his time for others.

“I knew it was going to be a good day when James’s name was on the call sheet,” one former colleague said.