Cassius Turvey honoured after unveiling of 'Forever 15' memorial at Weeip Park

The life of 15-year-old Noongar boy, Cassius Turvey will be forever remembered after the unveiling of a new memorial.

In a heartfelt tribute marking one year since the emotional candlelight vigil held on Halloween night last year, Perth's community once again gathered to pay homage to the young boy's life.

The new memorial has been established to ensure that Cassius' legacy remains etched in Perth's hearts forever.

Dressed as a witch, Mechelle Turvey put an emotional spell on attendees as she left many people wiping tears away.

"Cassius had an impact whilst he was still living on this Earth," Ms Turvey said.

"With his friends and family, with the old people and his respect and values, and he's still having an impact on them.

"I carry everything for Cassius now, I wish I didn't have to.

"But I live through him now and I hope he feels very proud of me and what I'm doing for other people.

"One of his favourite sayings was always 'Mum's always on a mission' and my mission has been pretty full on this last year…I'll do anything for my son."

Cassius enjoyed playing basketball with his friends. He loved fishing, he attended the youth centre and was fond of some screen time with his Playstation 4.

He was allegedly attacked on October 13 last year as he walked down the street after school in Middle Swan with his friends.

Believed to be racially motivated, Cassius was violently assaulted, allegedly by a 21-year-old male and two others.

He later passed away due to his injuries.

'Forever 15' is the theme behind Cassius' memorial, with his cousin Rachel May and her daughter penning the phrase.

The two were also given permission by Ms Turvey to write the message that would be displayed on the memorial.

"Trying to narrow down a list of qualities and attributes that my cousin embodied, showed and passed down to other people that he knew was far from (an) easy task," Ms May said.

"But it was (what) my daughter and I endeavoured to do after aunty Mechelle approached us, asking if we could come up with a concept to be written on the plaque for my cousin Cassius Turvey..."

It took Ms May and her daughter an amount of time to decode on the concept as they considered how in his 15 years, Cassius inspired people and influenced everyone that knew him.

The memorial represents everything Cassius was in his short 15 years of life.

In the centre is a picture of the school boy with a message that says 'Reflecting and remembering Cassius Turvey'.

'15 incredible qualities he embodied in his 15 years. These 15 things can be part of you, or may already be a part of you! You are of value. Kids matter,' the memorial reads.

Towards the end of the ceremony 15 of Cassius' friends and family stood in a circle, each of them holding a butterfly.

They all took turns saying a word that Cassius embodied before letting go of their butterfly.

Those words, which also feature on the memorial were trust, leadership, supportive, integrity, encouraging, loyal, kind, courageous, respectful, responsible, confident, teamwork, sharing, empowering and sense of brotherhood and sisterhood.

Story: Rhiannon Clarke National Indigenous Times

Images: Rhiannon Clarke