Teammates, school friends and loved ones have united at Junction Oval to bid farewell to Ferntree Gully cricketer Ben Austin, sharing tributes and joyful memories of the young sports star with a “heart of gold”.
For a man enduring one of the worst days imaginable, Jace Austin was his typical upbeat self.
He was just hours from burying his 17-year-old son, Ben, when he bravely delivered a heartbreaking tribute in front of more than 1100 mourners.
“You were our entire world, Benny. Thanks for choosing mum and me to come on your tour. But what a tour it was,” Mr Austin, who was still wearing Ben’s cricket cap, said.
“Great knock Benny, well played son.”
The Ferntree Gully star was killed in the freak nets training accident which triggered a wave of tributes from cricket teams in Australia and across the world.
Ben Austin.
Ben Austin’s teammates, school friends and loved ones on Thursday crammed into the Shane Warne Stand at the famous Junction Oval – the ground “Benny” loved to watch cricket at.
They wore splashes of colour at the request of Ben’s family, with many donning the colours of his many footy and cricket clubs.
Dozens of blue and white Ferntree Gully Cricket Club shirts were floating around, as were plenty of Waverley Park Hawks guernseys.
His family wanted Ben’s funeral service to kick off at 11am – the traditional starting time of his favourite sport, Test cricket.
Tributes to the young cricket star. Picture: Josie Hayden
Ben’s dad, Jace, kisses his coffin. Picture: Josie Hayden
Standing next to Ben’s coffin, which was lined with Collingwood’s black and white stripes, Mr Austin reflected on the Magpies’ premiership triumph in 2023, which he was lucky enough to share with his late son.
Mr Austin said Ben could be loving batting and bowling with two of his cricketing heroes up in the skies.
He also told Ben’s cricket teammates to “keep playing the bloody great game he loved”.
“We went to all of the finals. To have that mate … a memory forever,” Mr Austin added.
“(You were) our first achievement and greatest love. Well played, son.
“Playing cricket with Warnie and Phil Hughes will be high on the list.”
Seventeen-year-old Ben was a keen sportsman. Picture: Facebook
Ben’s grandfather, David Austin, said the day his grandson was struck by the cricket ball was a “nightmare and our most tragic day”.
“Everyone was shattered,” he said.
“This was an accident. A sad, tragic accident. It makes no sense.
“Pop loves you with all his heart.”
Ben’s casket sits adorned in Collingwood colours on the grounds of Junction Oval. Picture: Josie Hayden
Ben’s dad, Jace, and his brother, Zach. Picture: Josie Hayden
Ben’s cricket coach, Josh Henry, reflected on when he pushed to select Ben for a senior game at the age of just 13.
He fondly referred to Ben simply as “BA” throughout.
“I wanted him in the side,” he said.
“Coaches aren’t meant to have favourites, but you were mine.
“He loved cricket and he loved life. In many ways, he was the perfect young man.
“Benny was the heart of our group. He was loved and respected by us all.”
Kate Baxter and Sarah Anstey read a poem. Picture: Josie Hayden
Tributes from Waverley Park Hawks Football Club. Picture: Josie Hayden
Mr Henry, wearing a Ferntree Gully cricket shirt, recently asked Ben if a new player at the club could borrow his batting gear.
“Without hesitation (it was a) yes. That’s who Benny was … a heart of gold,” he added.
“We will make sure you are remembered forever.”
Family friend Dave Anstey spoke of Ben’s many, many sporting achievements.
Ben was awarded the best on ground award in his under-15 football flag and had also won a combined nine cricket premierships.
Benny’s friends say he had a ‘heart of gold’. Picture: Facebook
Jace Austin encourages the crowds to sing along with the Collingwood theme song. Picture: Josie Hayden
Mr Anstey said Ben’s teachers and coaches would tell their students to “be like Ben”.
“Ben always rose to the occasion,” he said.
“He was always doing the extras to make himself better than he was the day before.
“Ben had a desire to be the best he could possibly be.”
The Collingwood theme song rang out around the oval as Mr Austin cheerfully waved his arms in the air to encourage the masses to sing and clap along.
Friends, family and footy teammates carry Ben’s casket. Picture: Josie Hayden
Ben’s family says farewell. Picture: Josie Hayden
Ben’s mum, Tracey kisses his coffin farewell. Picture: Josie Hayden
Ben’s favourite song, “You Only Get What You Give” by New Radicals then played as his coffin was loaded into the hearse.
Younger brother Zach and Ben’s football teammates were among the pallbearers.
Jace Austin then tapped the coffin for the last time as he shook his head in disbelief.
A guard of honour farewells Ben. Picture: Josie Hayden
The hearse does a lap of honour for Ben. Picture: Josie Hayden
Mr Austin, his wife Tracey, and their sons, Cooper and Zach, walked slowly behind the hearse to the exit.
Members of the Waverley Park Football Club then gave Ben a guard of honour as he left the Junction Oval for the final time.
It was a truly heartbreaking end to a powerful service.