A pinch of dirt from the rugby field was rubbed into Eddie Allen’s pink coffin today by his dad Nick, before the funeral director drove it from the Lismore Rugby Club grounds.

Watching were over 400 people who had gathered for the memorial tribute to the 17 year old Richmond River High student who had been loved by many - and tragically died in a car accident nearly two weeks ago.

Read more news: Lismore Rugby Club mourns the death of rising star

After a moving and emotional ceremony, Eddie’s casket was taken from its position framed by the rugby goal posts and carried around the oval by his rugby team mates. The attendees formed two long rows for the coffin to be carried between - until it reached the waiting hearse.

There, Eddie’s rugby team mates huddled together, arm over arm, and sang the Lismore Song in tribute to their friend.

Some of Eddie’s friends had already cut their hair into new and unusual haircuts, like mullets, in tribute to Eddie – who was known for continually changing his hair.

Special permission

The memorial tribute event had been granted special permission by the NSW health authorities to allow up to 500 mask-wearing people attend the ticketed event. This was welcomed by funeral director Warwick Binney who said the past week and a half had been an emotional roller coaster for the family and everyone who had known Eddie.

The memorial was also live streamed online to friends and students in local schools.

Music tribute

During the ceremony, Eddie’s friend Georgia played guitar and a song for him, and Daniel Moses from Richmond River High School wrote and recorded a special song for him - the words for which were included in the memorial booklet printed for the event. 

Laughter and tears

Eddie’s dad Nick Allen gave a beautiful and moving tribute to his son, which brought both laughter and tears to everyone gathered.

“I called him Ed - he was born on February 6, 2003 and was named after his two grandfathers. He gave me joy from the first day he was born,” Nick said.

“His first report card read ‘Ed likes to take toys off other children and then stand his ground when they want them back’.

Hospital visits

“Hospital visits – he had a few. Once he cut his eye open with a spoon trying to get ice cream.

“He would always bring animals home, catching redback spiders, chooks, cows and sharks… and he’s been bitten by redbacks, chooks and sharks and chased by a cow… and then there were the wasps.

“He kept cane toad numbers down and at 14 years old he showed off the art of catching carp with a shovel.

“The tooth fairy forgot your first tooth, and then sent you a letter. Then teeth were removed to increase your revenue, sometimes with the gum attached.”

Rugby

Nick Allen, also a rugby player, said Eddie had played rugby since he could walk.

“I enjoyed playing rugby with you,” Nick said.

“This outlet of rugby was a god send for your energy. You would tackle charge at first – sometimes without the ball, but then as you knew the rules, you improved.

“You always loved understood the importance of team.

“Once another team had four really big fellas and Ed said 'they got us for size, but we got ‘em for looks'. Then he played the game with a comb in his pocket.

“He went missing once and we found him holding camp with the other rugby team which had two girls on it.

Fiji

“Then there was Fiji. He had the best two days of his life there playing in the local church games and hanging with the local kids, singing – and I’m sure he drank the kava too.

“Ed has his tour gear on today – he’s ready for the game. I felt the pride in the club – seeing you enjoy the community sport.

“You never missed touch footy night at the Channon.

“You were always kind and gentle to the little ones, and helped develop others.

Expelled

“You were expelled from your first kindy – you chased kids with a cane toad.

“You were expelled in Year 4. School was a challenge for you and us.

“When you were asked 'have you learned your lesson?', you replied 'I’ve never been suspended for the same thing twice'.

“You were raised in a Christian family. You helped old ladies with their shopping and supported the underdog. You were strong, courageous, vulnerable, adaptable and reliable.

“At times, you were hard to live with and teach – and a joy to coach.

Sadness

“The sadness I feel now is nothing compared to the love I feel for you.

“I’m so grateful to be witness to your life.”

Hailed as a natural leader, who often got into trouble and was expelled from school more than once, Eddie was also a talented sportsman, who championed the underdog and helped those who needed it.

Eddie’s sister Gabby said “you taught us how to love deeply and look out for the vulnerable”.

“This has been the worst week of our lives,” she said.

High achievement

Lismore Rugby Union Club president Peter Everingham said Eddie liked to be called Eddie the eel or Eddie the eagle or Eddie the magpie.

“Everybody knew who Eddie was on the field – he was known for his skill and played on representative teams, NSW Country and the under-18 Colts , who won their grand final last week,” he said.

“He was a leader and made first grade which was a high achievement at a young age He had a great future in sports, and made people smile and laugh at his antics.”

While Eddie Allen has left our community, he has left behind a legacy of a young man who was a natural leader and who will never be forgotten