Community in mourning after loss of ‘very talented’ Bondi surfer James Key who took his own life

James Key has been remembered as a “great guy” and talented surfer after taking his own life in Bondi, Sydney, last week.

A Sydney community is mourning the loss of a “great guy” who took his own life last week.

James Key died by suicide last Wednesday at Bondi Beach, leaving his family and a tight-knit community heartbroken.

Friends of the 27-year-old have established a makeshift memorial at Bondi’s Hunter Park, which was understood to be where he took his life.

He has been remembered as a talented surfer who was “loved by all”, including members of the Bondi Boardriders Club, which he joined as a child, and his fellow tradies.

James Key has been remembered as a talented surfer who was loved by everyone. Picture: Facebook

A post shared online by the boardriders club said his death had left its members “beyond devastated”.

“James Key has been a member of BBR since he was a kid, a born and bred local. He was not only a very talented surfer and recent SVC winner but beyond all a great guy, loved by all,” the post read.

“He has one of the tightest group of mates that would do anything for him and our hearts go out to all his family and friends especially the Scum Valley Crew.”

“RIP Key. We love you brother.”

The club encouraged anyone struggling to reach out to someone when they needed to.

“We can not reiterate this enough. There is always someone there for you to reach out to.”

Other members shared their grief and offered their condolences.

A makeshift memorial has been set up by the 27-year-old’s friends in Bondi. Picture: Facebook

“RIP James. So saddened by this news. My deepest condolences,” one person wrote in a comment.

“RIP mate. Sad. Deepest condolences to family and friends,” another said.

Someone else addressed Mr Key’s family, writing: “From the bottom of mine and my family’s heart, we are so so deeply sorry for your loss”.

The North Bondi Surf Life Saving Club also left a message of support for the grieving community.

“The management, members and friends of NBSLSC send their heartfelt condolences and thoughts to Bondi Board Riders who lost one of their own this week. A valued member of the local Bondi community who like us all is bound a love of the ocean. With utmost respect we extend our sympathies to the wider BBR family,” its comment read.

Randwick councillor Carlos Da Rocha described Mr Key as a “great bloke”.

“Condolences to the family. A great bloke James was and will always be in our hearts,” he wrote.

Loved ones have left photos, flowers and mementos in memory of Mr Key. Picture: Facebook

Another said they “can’t image the pain” currently being experienced by Mr Key’s family.

“My heart goes out to his family and friends. Such a devastating loss,” someone else said.

Multiple others described the situation “devastating” and left comments wishing for Mr Key to rest in peace.

The memorial had become a meeting spot for his friends over the past week, according to one local.

“The shrine his mates have done in the park shows what a great bunch of mates they are. Every arvo they meet to have a beer with his spirit,” he wrote.

A significant collection of photos, flowers and mementos had been placed at the memorial site, as well as a yellow and black surfboard.

Mr Key was one of at least two people to take their own life in the area in recent days, a matter that was raised with Premier Gladys Berejiklian during Wednesday’s coronavirus press conference.

Mr Key (left) was a member of the Bondi Boardriders Club since he was a child. Picture: Facebook

A reporter pressed her on the toll Greater Sydney’s lockdown was having on the mental health of individuals across the city, asking her to address, “Where are we at as a society?”

“I think we are at our best when we are faced with the most difficult of circumstances and I had a sense, as did many that are close to New South Wales’s daily battle with the pandemic, that we were entering a very scary period of the virus and that’s definitely the case,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“My sense is that a lot of people are doing it tough but the vast majority of our citizens appreciate that if we do the hard yards now, it’s better for all of us in the next months ahead.”

Her words have all but rubbed salt in the wounds of struggling business owners, many of whom are barely keeping their heads above water.

City of Sydney councillor Angela Vithoulkas told 2GB host Ben Fordham on Wednesday morning she was “getting calls every day from business owners, particularly in the CBD, who are telling me they’re ready to end their lives because they can’t find a way out of this”.

“Their debt has increased between $100,000 to $300,000 in the last 18 months and they will never crawl out from under this ridiculous approach to the pandemic,” she said.

“I don’t know what to do either. How do I tell someone don’t commit suicide and end your life when there is nothing for them and their families to look forward to? This is the situation.”

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