Reece Harding died a hero.
There are dozens of words that could describe the 23-year-old - joker, athlete, traveller - but for his family and friends, it is his legacy that must be carried on in the place of mere words.
His father Keith knew his son was adventurous years ago. As an 18-month-old, Reece scaled a ladder to join his father working on the roof of the family home.
It was Reece's compassion and adventurous nature that drove him to travel to Syria to fight alongside Kurdish forces against Islamic State militants - a journey that ultimately ended his life when he stepped on a mine.
Before hundreds who gathered at The Dream Centre Christian Church to celebrate his life on Saturday, Reece was remembered as a man who lived more in his 23 years than most people do in a lifetime.
"I know, Reece, you can't speak," Mr Harding said.
"But we will speak for you and further the cause you were passionate about. I love you, son, and I am so, so proud of you."
Reece's mother recalled how her heart melted when he first smiled at her as a six-week-old baby.
"There are no words to explain the pain I feel at losing you," she said in a message read out by her youngest son Jordan.
"I will always feel a piece of me died with you that day."
The family grieves for the milestones they can no longer share together.
For Jordan, it is his first legal drink after his 18th birthday that was to be shared with Reece, or standing tall beside him at Reece's wedding, or becoming an uncle.
"His death may have left a bruise on all of our hearts, but I can comfortably say that he was at peace when he died," Jordan said.
"If I could grow up to be half the man Reece was, I will be proud and content with my life."
Jordan's promise is to live his own life the way his brother did.
Such is Reece's legacy that his death has formed a permanent bond between his family and the community for which he sacrificed his life.
Deniz Ozer, on behalf of the Kurdish community, said there were no words to describe the admiration and love for Michele Harding - the mother of a hero.
But heroes, Mr Ozer said, should feel they can return to Australia safely.
The government has warned Australians they are committing a crime if they join the conflict, regardless of which side they fight on - a policy Mr Ozer said was ridiculous.
"Surely these ludicrous laws need to be changed," he said, drawing applause.
