Hervey Bay teenager Daniel Mcdowall farewelled at funeral
Teen AFL player Daniel Mcdowall, who took his own life last month, would have described himself as a loner. But his funeral belied that title.
Fraser Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fraser Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Hervey Bay AFL player Daniel Mcdowall would have described himself as a loner.
But his funeral in Urangan on Wednesday belied that title.
The 19-year-old became yet another young Fraser Coast resident to take their own life on February 25, leaving his friends and family to mourn his tragic loss.
The pain etched on the faces of the dozens of people who attended his funeral said it all.
One by one, friends and relatives wrote messages of love on his white casket.
Green balloons bobbed above his coffin, representing the green orbs that had appeared in the photos taken by loved ones since Daniel's passing - orbs his mother Donna believed were signs her son was still with her.
The Bay Power player was surrounded by his mates as his casket was brought in, and then taken out, of Hervey Bay Botanical Garden's bush chapel.
Vic Burgess spoke on behalf of his family.
He told of a world that confronted and confused Daniel on so many levels.
That punished him for being out of the ordinary.
But he also spoke of a world in which Daniel was beloved.
By him mum Donna, grandparents and extended family.
And by the mates who wiped away tears while standing to pay their respects to their friend and brother.
In a poem for her son, Donna said he had come into her life when her world needed light and they had walked in the sunshine together.
"Your gorgeous face is etched in my mind," she said.
Suicide prevention advocate Michael Walsh spoke about the pain of Daniel's loss.
"I didn't know Daniel but I feel like I do just from talking to Donna, he said.
"He felt a lot like a lot of us feel sometimes - a bit trapped in our own mind, a bit confused and the world doesn't understand."
After the funeral, a procession followed Daniel to his final resting place before family and friends gathered at one of his favourite spots - Scarness Beach - to offer each other support.
Help is available 24 hours by phoning Lifeline on 13 11 14.
Specialised youth mental health support is available via Headspace which has offices in Hervey Bay at 9/15 Central Avenue, Pialba and in Maryborough at 2/118 Lennox St.
Originally published as Hervey Bay teenager Daniel Mcdowall farewelled at funeral
‘My husband told me he had a brain tumour, and he would die through lethal medicine’
A Brisbane woman has recalled the way her husband took control of his death through voluntary assisted dying that allowed him to “peacefully” slip away in his own bed surrounded by family. WATCH THE VIDEO
Queensland’s gifted students thwarted by lack of options
Queensland’s most gifted students are being held back by a lack of selective schools, particularly for regional students, education experts say.
Fraser Coast sale and auction results, week ending February 15
See the latest auction and sales results on Fraser Coast for last week.
Snake bite surge: 15 strikes in days across Qld
A snake expert who catches chook-pen pythons to huge eastern browns in the burbs has spoken out as bite callouts increase across Qld and one region emerges as a deadly hotspot. SEE THE LIST.
‘How we kept couple’s secret’: Inside MAFS honeymoon hotels, resorts
Get inside info about the filmed stays and check out the luxe Qld spots that will have you dreaming of your next romantic getaway.
83mm in 60 mins: Morning storms after inland Qld hammered
Severe thunderstorms have hit parts of inland Queensland overnight, with one area recording more than 80mm in an hour, as more flared up this morning.