Family pay tribute to Lachlan ‘Lockie’ Hernaman at Harvey footballer’s funeral

It was what she called their special whistle of love — an exchange shared so many times by Melissa Hernaman and her son, but one that she longed to share just one more time.

“I miss it already,” Ms Hernaman told those gathered for Lachlan ‘Lockie” Hernaman’s funeral in the South West town of Harvey yesterday.

“I reckon I have done it 100 times in the last two weeks, just waiting to hear it one more time.”

Almost 1000 people packed into the Harvey Recreation and Cultural Centre for the funeral service of the 20-year-old, who died after collapsing suddenly at football training in Harvey on April 30.

Black sashes were wrapped around the trees that sit in the middle of the main street as a mark of respect to a man who this week would have received a certificate for completing his plumbing apprenticeship.

In her eulogy, Ms Hernaman said she would love her son forever and to say goodbye was “the hardest thing I have ever had to do”.

“From a very young age you were a kind, respectful and very generous kid,” she said.

“Your loving nature touched the hearts of so many. You just had a heart of gold. Everyone who met you thought you were a top guy.

“So many people often said to me that I had raised the perfect young man.

“I have had so many people say that ‘if my son turns out even half as good as Lockie, I would be the proudest mum ever’.”

Ms Hernaman described the “special bond” he had with his brother and two sisters as like no other. “Being an only child for so long, anyone would have thought you would crack and not handle these little extras,” she said.

Fighting back tears, Harmony Staszewski-Hose told the service Lockie was the perfect example of a kind-hearted and genuine man.

“A loyal friend and a very loved man,” she said.

“You would have been the most amazing Dad.

“You brought fun and joy into everything you were a part of.

“When you smiled, I couldn’t help but smile back.”

Ms Staszewski-Hose said she would miss doing the simple things with Lockie.

“We asked each other some really hard questions about the future and I believe we have recently found the answers,” she said.

“It is so heartbreaking that we can’t now tackle life together.

“I watched you become secure in who you were and what you wanted in life. I was so lucky to be one of those things.

“Thank you for bringing me and many others so much happiness.”