GONE but never forgotten.
A memorial paying tribute to Michael Bowden was unveiled in Weipa last month to coincide with the official opening of the footpath along Northern Avenue.
Parents, grandparents, siblings, in-laws, aunties, uncles and cousins – as well as friends – attended the special event.
Michael was tragically killed by a motorist on Northern Avenue in 2018 after walking home from a post-Weipa Fishing Classic party.
His mum Rachael hopes that the new footpath will prevent another avoidable death.
“It’s a pity it wasn’t there in the first place,” she said.
“Hindsight is a wonderful thing, though, isn’t it?
“Hopefully the footpath keeps people off the road and we don’t have another tragedy.”
Mrs Bowden said it was always hard for her and husband Scott to return to Weipa but was delighted with the memorial.
“It’s always a bit tough going back – even harder going to Northern Avenue,” she said.
“It seems like a long time ago but it also feels like yesterday.”
The family thanked the Weipa Town Authority for thinking of the family and paying tribute to their much-loved son, who was just 20 years old when he was killed.
“The plaque that we got done, with the photo and the cog, is the same one that is on his grave,” Ms Bowden said.
“It’s come up nicely and hopefully people remember Michael.”
