Hundreds of people gathered at Woonona on Good Friday for a celebration of the late Ty Delaney's life of surfing, art and mateship.
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The event was also to promote awareness of the need to complete the upgrade of Picton Road before another life is lost.
The Ty Delaney Memorial and inaugural Steel City Surf Classic 2021 took place on Friday at Ocean Park, Woonona.
The Steel City Surf Classic surf event took place in recognition of Mr Delaney, a Thirroul surfer and artist who lost his life in an accident on Picton Road near Wilton in October 2020. He was 25.
The Picton Road Motorway Coalition has been formed to campaign for the upgrade of the "important but dangerous corridor to motorway standard".
"It's definitely [about raising] the awareness that there is work being done on Picton Road, there's money being raised, but still the money and the work doesn't get done if you don't campaign," his mother Petra Delaney said. "So the campaign is ongoing, and that's what I'd like; everyone to keep that foremost [in mind]."
Organised by a group of Mr Delaney's family and friends, Friday's event also aimed to provide the wider community with the opportunity to celebrate his life, and share stories and memorable moments.
Mr Delaney was an established artist who went by the name "Fangs", and a keen surfer who was part of the Sandon Point Boardriders.
"It was a shame we didn't get the swell and the waves, but in saying that, you couldn't have asked for a better day," his uncle Carl Delaney said on Friday.
"Ty would have been stoked [with the event]," he laughed. "He would have loved all the attention."
Friday's event included a surf event hosted by Sandon Point Boardriders, a live tribute art installation by eight local artists, plus music, food, drinks and more.
Organisers hoped to raise $10,000 via the entertainment, a raffle and event merchandise.
Funds raised will be allocated to a partnership with the Mental Health Movement, who will work with the event organisers to deliver mental health awareness and support to the area.
"A couple of his close friends took their own lives leading up to before he passed away," Carl Delaney said.
"So this group of guys lost three or four guys in a short space of time.
"We put it out there to his close mates that were involved in this, and they wanted the Mental Health Movement as the partner."
Mrs Delaney told the Mercury the day had "exceeded expectations".
She said it may become an annual event.
"With an event like this, it's not up to me - it's up to the community, it's up to his friends," she said.
"But with the feedback from everyone today, I think this is going to be going on for a long time yet."
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Brendan Crabb
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
I'm a member of ACM's national property team, covering the Illawarra and South Coast. Based in Albion Park, NSW, I write about exciting, interesting or just downright quirky properties that have been listed for sale, major sales, market trends, auctions and more. One of my favourite aspects of being a journalist is I believe everyone has a story to tell. What's yours?
