By SUE HEWITT: SUE.HEWITT@FAIRFAXMEDIA.COM.AU
THE service for the inspirational Mill Park teenager who touched the hearts of millions of people through his farewell message on the internet, took place today.
About 800 people mourned Shaun Wilson-Miller, 17, at his funeral at the Plenty Ranges Arts and Convention Centre, as tributes continued to flow in from around the world.
His father, Cameron Miller, spoke about the simple things that made his son special, but the global community remembers him as the teenager who thought about his family and friends before himself in a brave and tearful YouTube post that went viral.
Click on the image below for our gallery of the moving tribute to Shaun.
On the post, the former student of Carwatha College in Noble Park revealed his battle with heart disease, saying: ‘‘I won’t be here for as long as I thought’’. He died on May 26 after a second heart transplant failed.
The courageous post was only meant for those close to him as a final goodbye, but it has been watched by almost two-and-a-half million people.
Mr Miller said his son loved ‘‘simple things in life like watching the Simpsons, Family Guy, the wrestling, honey and soy chips, Zombie Chews, your Xbox, the mighty Bombers and, of course, Facebook’’.
He said the teenager — who was born with a congenital heart defect — was surrounded by people who loved him, including friends who were ‘‘amazed’’ at his positive attitude.
‘‘They, too, have lost a great mate but they have gained a role model and a reason to aim high in life,’’ Mr Miller said.
Mr Miller paid tribute to his son’s girlfriend, Maddy, the ‘‘bravest girl in the world’’.
‘‘The gift of your love lit up Shaun’s world like no one else could,’’ he said. ‘‘Once you were his girlfriend he said, ‘I have it all now’ and she ‘ticked all the boxes’.’’
The HeartKids Victoria ambassador died after after his body rejected his second heart transplant.
His father said in his son’s short time he had and would continue to ‘‘spread his message of peace and love’’ to all.
An all-ages celebration of Shaun’s life will be held at Luna Park on June 15 from 6pm, featuring comedians and musicians. Shaun’s Kick-Ass Party will raise money for HeartKids Victoria and to complete Shaun’s book. Details: visit lunapark.com.au
Watch Shaun’s emotional YouTube video below.
