By Isabella Higgins and Kathy McLeish.
More than 1,000 people have turned out to farewell 18-year-old Cole Miller, who was killed in an alleged one-punch attack in Brisbane earlier this month.
The talented water polo player died last week after he was struck in the head during a night out with friends in Fortitude Valley.
Family and friends of Mr Miller said their final goodbyes to the teenager at a service in the Cathedral of St Stephen in the CBD.
The church overflowed with family, friends and others touched by the tragedy.
In an emotional eulogy to his son, Cole Miller’s father Steve said he could have written 500 pages to his son and it still would not be enough.
Often fighting back tears, he talked of his son’s growing up years in the family home on the Sunshine Coast.
“He was always good for a kiss and a cuddle,” he said.
“Still in year 12, the whole family always stopped for a hug and a kiss from him. It was our family tradition.”
He spoke of special times caring for his sons during their sport training years and said he realised how close he was to his youngest son.
“This young boy Cole could hold my heart in his every being. He did so then and he still does,” he said.
Mr Miller’s teammates and executives from Water Polo Australia will play a part in the service, as well as members of his old surf life-saving club on the Sunshine Coast.
Many are wearing green — the colour of Mr Miller’s water polo team.
Chaplin Chris Owens, who has supported the family through the tragedy, said the public’s support had helped the Millers deal with their loss.
“The Miller family has an extensive support network around them and it’s been brilliant and done an excellent job in helping them get through this,” he said.
“The response of the community as well as the support they’ve experienced has been phenomenal and has been ongoing,” he said.
Politicians and Olympians have attended the funeral.
The funeral is being webcast for those who cannot attend.
Last week, more than 1,000 people attended a rally in King George Square to show support for the Miller family and to call for an end to violent behaviour.
Before attending the service this morning, Acting Premier Jackie Trad promised to act.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to pursuing our alcohol fuelled-violence laws,” she said.
This post originally appeared on ABC News.
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