Cole Miller's "unconditional love" remains strong in his family a year after the Fortitude Valley attack that took him away from loved ones and friends "far too soon".
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A memorial service was held for the 18-year-old in Chinatown Mall on Friday, where the community had originally come to pay its respects after the attack in January 2016.
His sister Kate broke down as she told a 150-strong crowd how she was blessed to be surrounded by her "strong, determined and humble" brothers who had taught her so much.
"My baby brother Cole taught me the meaning of unconditional love," she said.
"The warmth, innocence and light Cole brought to my life will always stay with me."
The promising Brisbane Barracudas water polo player had just been offered a Queensland Academy of Sport scholarship when he was punched in the head from behind, which caused massive brain trauma. He died in hospital a day later.
Mr Miller's family and friends, along with acting Premier Jackie Trad, councillor Vicki Howard, representatives from the Queensland Police, Queensland Ambulance and Water Polo Queensland heard how much the promising water polo player had impacted on the lives of his family.
"Cole's unconditional love that I will forever share with my brothers, my parents and I will give to my children," his sister said.
"It is something I know we can always rely on. It is something I know I brought to Cole's life and he brought to ours.
"Even though it was his time, he has given us the opportunity to shine for him. So from Billy, Mitchell, myself and my parents: Cole Miller, we will always shine for you."
Reverend Lance Mergard led the memorial service and urged the community to make the most of their memories of the young sportsman.
"You each carry memories of Cole...but all these memories have been shattered by one bad choice," he said.
"I call on you today to pick up the pieces of your shattered memory of Cole Miller and make something of them."
Mr Miller had been out celebrating the 20th birthday of his friend and Brisbane Barracudas Womens captain Ellodie Ruffin when the attack happened.
"Unfortunately one of us didn't make it home...we lost a friend, a teammate and a brother," Ms Ruffin said.
She helped lead the #CozziesoutforCole campaign, where members of the community were urged to hang their swimmers outside their property to show their support for the Miller family.
"Green love lit our city up and so did the message that we stand against this cowardly violence," she said.
Ms Ruffin pledged to play the inaugural Cole Miller Cup Match on Friday evening in her friend's honour.
"Tonight we play in your honour Cole and we will remember you forever more. A champion who played a fair game taken from us far too soon," she said.
Ms Trad admitted politicians couldn't really provide much wisdom at times like this but paid tribute to the courage displayed by the Miller family.
"I can't imagine what the past 12 months have been like for you as a family," she said.
"To mark all those really important occasions that every family revels in and celebrates… without the presence of your dearly-loved younger sibling, younger son."
To remember Mr Miller, Water Polo Queensland partnered with the Just Let It Go Foundation which recently launched a safety campaign in the Fortitude Valley precinct that targets those new to the nightclub scene.
The first round of the National Water Polo League, which kicked off on Thursday, was also renamed the Cole Miller Round, with all teams to retire the number 10 cap out of respect.
On August 3, 2016, Armstrong Renata, 22, pleaded guilty to the one-punch death of Cole Miller and was believed to be the first person convicted under harsh new laws aimed at reducing deadly one-punch attacks.
He will face a landmark sentencing at a time to be determined.
Renata's co-accused, Daniel Maxwell, has applied for bail twice but has not been required to enter a plea in regards to his alleged role in Mr Miller's death.
During the memorial, Water Polo Queensland CEO Robert Donaghue read out a poem penned by Mr Miller's coach Simon Daley.
"…Be well my friend and until we meet again,
I know you will be supporting from up above
This game for which you had so much love
I will shed a tear and down a beer on this day every year
Cheers you little bugger."
