A cavalcade of bikes and vehicles travelled from Gunnedah to Curlewis in memory of the local, who was tragically killed in a motorbike accident on July 11.

The funeral service was held at the Curlewis Community Church, with crowds gathering to farewell the 24-year-old and show their support for his mother Cerena, father Ron and brother Ben.

Family friends Steve Weakley and Crystal Neil led the service, sharing memories of Heath and reading Bible verses chosen by Heath’s family.

Mr Weakley said despite the tragedy of “a life cut short”, the Glennisters wanted to celebrate Heath’s life.

“They’re thankful they had Heath at all and that they had him for the time that they did, and so we want to celebrate his life as well as say goodbye to him today, and he would have loved the roar of those bikes out the front; I can see the grin on his face,” he said.

Ms Neil said Mr Glennister had specifically chosen Luke chapter seven from the Bible.

“Ron loved that it spoke so strongly about the people that Jesus would accept coming to him. It was everybody – come as they were, come as they are to him. And Jesus’ response was never anyone else’s response,” she said.

Ms Neil also shared stories passed on by Heath’s family, including an incident in high school when Heath ran sticky tape across the doorway of his classroom at head height and his teacher copped it in the face when she walked in.

“He was never malicious, always mischievous, a real larrikin,” Ms Neil said.

“He always wanted to make you laugh and always have a laugh with you.”

Another incident involved a race car that Heath bought so he could take out the motor and install it in a ute. His mother wound up helping him get it home and found she couldn’t open the door and had to climb through the window. There followed a ride she wouldn’t forget.

“Bravery, I tell you what, runs in their family,” Ms Neil said.

“In she got and she discovered there was actually no seat, but she was already committed and he was revving the car, so off they went and she’s hanging on to anything she could get a hold of. Ronnie heard this car coming up the road.

"There’s Heath –  rev, rev, rev – [and] Mum in the passenger side could hardly see her over the windscreen… and then she said, ‘Hang on mate, how do I get out of here?’. [He said], ‘Easy Mum, thorough the windscreen’, so out she went.”

Mr Weakley also shared some stories from Heath’s work experience days.

“Heath decided he’d fix the ride-on mower… Every part of it was broken, but Heath was determined to fix it,” he said.  

“He’s clanking and crashing away and occasionally cursing and then we hear this familiar roar… and he decided he’d mow around all the sheds with this great big grin on his face.

“Of course, he mowed up the taper hoses and tools and bricks and everything else as well, but he did manage to mow the lawn.

“I don’t think it’s gone since, that mower, but I’ll always remember him when I look at it, his capability and his perseverance, and those were the things that made up his character.

“A young, tragic death like this is like a spear to the heart, but his whole life is what we’re thinking about today, and it was a good life. And those of us who've been touched by him can be thankful that he existed and he was who he was.”

The eulogy was addressed to Heath by his aunty Karmell Coxon on behalf of the family.

Heath James Michael Glennister was born on March 31, 1994, weighing nine pounds and three ounces. He was the first child of Ron and Cerena, and the first grandson and nephew for the Weir family.

“You were almost born an April fool,” Ms Coxon said.

“Everyone was so proud of you.”

Heath became a big brother at the age of seven, with the arrival of his first and only sibling, Ben.

“You made great impression on many lives,” Ms Coxon said.

“You used to take your Dad’s 1970 picture and People magazine and sell the centrefolds to your school mates. It took Dad a while to realise where his old magazines were going, but you were always the class clown and if you were around anyone, they were laughing.”

Ms Coxon said Heath’s passion for motorbikes one-tonners grew as he did.

“We watched you grow into an amazing young man who had girlfriends but always family was number one,” she said.

“You left school and started your first job, you bought a house and grew into a gentleman overnight.

“You worked hard at two jobs but always had time for everyone in your life.

“You were the man with the heart of gold and you helped everyone, no questions asked.”

Ms Coxon said Heath was a “trading man” and would swap anything he wasn’t using any more for “something awesome”.

“You swapped your Odysseys for a speed boat and that started a new passion for boats and fishing, which cost you a set of mutton chops,” she said.

“Any chance you got to ride your bike, you did. Your passion for riding was your life and sadly, that passion has taken you from us, and today we have to say goodbye. Heath, we love you and will forever.

“You're an inspirational young man. Sadly, someone above needed you more than we did.”

READ MORE: In memory of Curlewis' Heath Glennister, a lovable larrikin