Family and friends of cricket legend Andrew Symonds have gathered to say their last goodbyes at a private funeral in Townsville.
Key points:
- Andrew Symonds died in a car accident on May 14th
- Her two children, Chloe and Billy, were in mourning
- A public memorial will be held later today at Townsville Riverway Stadium
Symonds’ two children, Chloe and Billy, and their mother Laura, joined guests, including cricketers Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath and Mitchell Johnson.
Friends and family saw each other consoling each other when they arrived at the service, and Billy came in grabbing his father’s cowboy hat.
Cricket legend Glenn McGrath is among the guests at Andrew Symonds’ private funeral (ABC North Queensland: Zilla Gordon)
Symonds’ mother, Barbara, and daughter Chloe are among those who have paid tribute to the legend of cricket during this morning’s service, while former teammate Jimmy Maher will pay tribute.
A tribute video of former cricketer Matthew Hayden will be played.
Symonds died when the car he was driving rolled on rural Harvey Range Road on the outskirts of Townsville almost two weeks ago.
The death of the 46-year-old caused an outpouring of mourning by the international cricket community, as well as those who knew and loved the man nicknamed “Roy”.
Adam Gilchrist and Ricky Ponting arrive at Symonds’ private funeral. (ABC North Queensland: Zilla Gordon)
The private funeral will be followed by a public celebration of his life at Rivers Stadium in Townsville this afternoon.
Mayor Jenny Hill said the council had worked closely with the family before the memorial to help in any way it could.
“That’s a way of saying thank you and goodbye,” Ms. Hill said.
“An event like this provides many people with the closing of Andrew’s life and what happened.
“It’s an absolute tragedy that has happened, and we’ve lost a true Northern ambassador and a real larrikin.”
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Hill said Symonds’ contribution to the North Queensland community was immeasurable.
After starting playing cricket for school children at Charters Towers, 136 miles southwest of Townsville, Symonds made a name for itself on the international all-terrain cricket scene.
After finishing his cricket career, he retired to North Queensland, where he loved fishing.
He has been fondly remembered for his larrikin crossings on and off the field.
More to come.
Posted 1 hour, 1 hour ago Friday, May 27, 2022 at 12:37 PM, last updated 15 minutes, 15 minutes ago, Friday, May 27, 2022 at 1:31 AM