More than 400 people gathered in the water and on the headland at Cabarita Beach/Bogangar on Sunday afternoon to remember Samuel Mwangi Macharia Zietlow who lost his life at the beach two weeks ago.
“We paddled out and formed a big circle,” organiser Peter Bruggy said of the moving ceremony for the 16-year-old soccer-mad Lindisfarne student.
“His father Bernie spoke and we had two minutes silence before splashing the water and yelling out his name.”
Bernie, his wife Sandra and sons Ricky, Kurt and Ryan have been Sam’s family since he arrived in Australia from Kenya five years ago.
Bernie told the crowd, which included friends and family, that they would never forget Sam.
“Sam loved the ocean but underestimated its power,” he said on the water.
“The reason Sam drowned at Cabarita was because of its beauty and we should not forget that.
“This is a good place to remember Sam. I smile every-time I come here.
“We love you Sam.”
He said the family held no anger towards their beloved beach.
“I have lived and surfed at Cabarita for nearly 35 years,” he said.
“Our boys have lived and surfed at Cabarita all their lives.
“We will continue to live and surf here and Sam’s memory will live on.”
The family said they had been overwhelmed by the support from our community.
“In a crowd of more than 400 people there would have only been a handful we did not personally know,” he said.
“The rest were all family and friends from our community.
“We would like to thank them all for their support and love of our Sam.”
A celebration of Sam’s life with his family from Australia and Kenya as well as his friends and school-mates, was due to be held at Lindisfarne Anglican Grammar School on Wednesday.
In memory of Sam orange
ribbons were available at the service for a gold coin donation. The families requested donations to Sam’s legacy in lieu of flowers. Donations can be made at any Commonwealth Bank or online BSB: 062580 Account Number: 10231433.
Peter Bruggy said he was overwhelmed by the generosity and love for Sam from the local community.
He said during Sunday’s ceremony almost $400 was collected
for “Sam’s Legacy” including donations from several children giving up their pocket money.
