Community celebrates young Will’s 13th birthday

HUNDREDS of people have marked what would have been the 13th birthday of Will Murdoch, the beloved country kid who died in a tragic accident on the family’s North Queensland farm.

Celebrations began on Saturday, October 2, when more than 100 friends and family gathered at Long Pocket, about 30km north-west of Ingham, to celebrate Will’s life.

A private commemoration was held on the family farm on the young boy’s birthday, October 5, the same day as Gilroy Santa Maria College hosted a Will Murdoch Tribute Rugby League Match between years 8 and Will’s year 7.

Commemorations will continue on Wednesday, October 13, with the inaugural Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield, an U13 rugby league trophy featuring teams from Gilroy, St Teresa’s Catholic College Abergowrie and Ingham State High School.

Will, a gifted rugby league player and bull rider, died after a freak farm vehicle accident on March 22 this year, and his funeral in Ingham attracted more than 1000 mourners.

Rather than retreat from the spotlight in the wake of such a terrible, profound loss, Will’s brave family has continued to ensure that his name lives on.

“That’s what we have chosen to do – we never want to forget him,” mother Kelly Murdoch said.

“We just don’t want anyone to forget him, that’s all.”

She said the birthday was a special one.

“He would have been a teenager but he didn’t make it.”

Mrs Murdoch said the family celebrated Will’s birthday privately on Tuesday and could not attend the league match, which was a cracker.

“It was awesome, the grade 7s beat the grade 8s; I think they had a point to prove,” she said.

Will had just started at the school and had friends and Herbert River Crushers teammates in both teams.

Mrs Murdoch said the family had fashioned a log on the property into the Will Murdoch Perpetual Shield, an annual round-robin featuring the Hinchinbrook’s three high schools.

“Originally it was just going to be with Abergowrie College and Gilroy but then the high school wanted to be a part of it as well, which is great,” she said.

Sahara Shaw and Izabella Spina at the Will Murdoch Tribute rugby league match between Gilroy Santa Maria College year 7 and 8 sides at the high school in Ingham on Tuesday. Pictures: Cameron Bates

RIGHT: Will Murdoch's 13th birthday cake. Picture: Supplied

Kody Fudriga's tackle attempt is thwarted by Lynden Allen.

Will Murdoch would have celebrated his 13th birthday.

Jack Butcher goes high on a rampaging Kelin Corradi.

Matthew Giordani scores one of year 7s three tries.

Front-rower Shaun Devietti.