As the sun peeks out over the horizon at Sydney's Bronte Beach, Caroline Mellish will tell her young son stories about the adventure-loving uncle he never knew.
Morgan Mellish, an Australian Financial Review journalist, was among five Australians who died after a Garuda Airlines plane overshot the runway at Yogyakarta airport in Indonesia 10 years ago on Tuesday. Sixteen other people also lost their lives.
The five Australians had been travelling to cover a visit by Australia's then foreign minister Alexander Downer to the central Javanese city.
A keen surfer, Mr Mellish's ashes were sprinkled at Bronte Beach - which was his old neighbourhood.
His younger sister Caroline and her son Saxon, seven, will mark the anniversary at dawn at the beach along with some of his friends.
"Bronte at sunrise is magical," Ms Mellish told AAP.
"It's about remembering that life goes on and when the sun rises it reminds you that every day is a new day and you have to be thankful for life."
Although her son never got to meet his uncle, they share a name connection - Saxon was one of Mr Mellish's middle names.
"When we go to Bronte, (Saxon) says we're going to see Uncle Morgan and when he goes swimming he says he's swimming with Uncle Morgan," she said.
Ms Mellish says sometimes she momentarily forgets her brother is gone and tries to phone him up.
"He had an amazing love of life and was enthusiastic about seeking adventure," she said.
He died seven days short of his 37th birthday.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade headquarters in Canberra will hold a private ceremony in honour of diplomat Liz O'Neill and AusAid Indonesia head Allison Sudradjat.
The Australian Federal Police will also have a special service at the police memorial near Lake Burley Griffin for agents Brice Steele and Mark Scott.
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