By Kath Gannaway
ORANGE balloons floated into a cold June sky on Friday at the scene of another car crash and the death of another young Healesville man.
Family and friends gathered at the corner of Chalet and Don roads in Badger Creek to farewell 23-year-old Colin Fletcher in a memorial service marked by the playing of the didgeridoo, orange wrist bands and the release of orange balloons – his favourite colour.
Colin died in the early hours of Saturday morning, 30 May, when he lost control of his car and hit a tree.
Colin moved to Healesville from New South Wales about 10 years ago with his mother Aileen Holz and younger siblings. After a couple of years at Healesville High School he worked at various jobs including most recently at Australian Native Landscapes in Coldstream.
His boss at ANL, and a close family friend, MikeTaylor, said every day was an adventure for Colin.
“He was a gentle giant of a man, with a kid in his heart,” he said.
Describing Colin as a popular, polite, well-spoken and intelligent young man he said he had a sharp wit and was always able to come up with a one-liner.
Mr Taylor said Colin had lived his short life fully and well.
“His death is a great loss for his family and friends, and for the indigenous community of Healesville of which he was very much a part,’ he said.
Des Smith, Leader of Indigenous Health Services at Yarra Valley Community Health paid tribute saying Colin was a proud person he was proud to know.
A moving tribute by his partner Sarah Miller was also read in which she told of their love for each other and his love for her two young children.
Ms Holz said losing her eldest child was devastating.
“He loved Ford cars, AFL and rugby but what he loved most was just being with family and friends,” she said. “His brothers and sister (Joshua, Makayla, Alex and Jayden) are missing him terribly.
“It should have been Colin making arrangements for me, not the other way around.”
Ms Holz said she hoped that the senseless loss of her son’s death would act as a lesson for his peers.
“Drinking and driving and speeding … Colin paid a tragic price. That’s the lesson,” she said.
