‘A life ended far too soon doing what he loved the most.’
A beloved Year 12 student killed in a motorbike crash has been remembered by loved ones and sporting communities alike as a cheerful and outgoing young man dedicated to his passions.
Cody Breen crashed his bike on a dirt track near Four Mile Beach Rd at Jeparit, in western Victoria, about 1.10pm on Sunday.
The bike landed on Cody and he did not survive, Victoria Police said.
Cody was a student of St Patrick’s College in Ballarat, an avid motorbike rider and football player, and a young man with a love for agriculture and his future planned out, according to a wide community of loved ones reeling after his death.
“What a wonderful person and man you were. How much strength and good dedication and energy and love you had to give,” Billy Waters said of his best friend on social media.
“Feels like I lost half of me. Best bloke to be around.”
“He left behind a legacy that’ll be remembered by all,” friend Jye Gibbs said.
“You were one-of-a-kind, always knew how to put a smile on my face when I was down and I’m sure I’m not the only one,” friend Billy Richards said.
“Having you as a mate was a privilege and to know that you’re gone now is heartbreaking.”
“He was an absolute legend,” another friend said.
Several motorcycle clubs and motorsports businesses joined riders in offering their heartfelt tributes to Cody.
“A life ended far too soon doing what he loved the most,” Ballarat Rovers Motorcycle Club said.
“May your star light up the start line in the heavens each night.”
Central Highlands Enduro Club said: “Cody will be remembered as a cheerful and outgoing young man, always keen for a chat.”
He “pushed the boundaries of what life had to offer, and immersed himself deeply in his love for riding, footy and farming”.
‘Our footy club will never be the same’
A large and “deeply saddened” football community, including Ballan Football Netball Club and Carngham Linton Football Netball Club, also paid tribute to the young player.
Football coach Andrew Blower described “a broken club” in a poem he shared on social media.
“I had the pride to coach you, to watch you learn and grow, and wear the Carngham Saints jumper with a proud, courageous glow,” Blower said.
“You didn’t care about the score, just kicking with your mates, from the huddle on the boundary line to the Valley’s welcome gates.
“The oranges at halftime, the huddles in the rain, the sidelines at our footy club will never be the same.
“You left the field too early, mate, before the game was done, but every time the Saints run out, we’ll see you in the sun.”
