The gregarious teenager spent many hours at the oval watching family and friends play cricket, so Gunnedah Junior Cricket Association will install a park bench with a plaque in his memory. Heath died from heart complications on June 8 at the age of 15.

Association president Andrew Johns sought permission from Gunnedah Shire Council at last week's ordinary meeting and received support from all of the councillors.

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Cr Gae Swain moved the motion and spoke in support of the idea.

"I take it as a great honour and privilege to support the officer's recommendation," she said.

"Heathie was an integral part of Gunnedah ... [and] was about at every other sport in Gunnedah.

"It's a great opportunity to recognise and remember Heathie. As someone said, he had a smile as wide as Gunnedah, and he'll be sadly missed."

Mr Johns is hopeful the memorial will be installed in the next few months.

"I'm grateful that council's allowing this to happen. I think it's a great thing and now we've got the nod, there's not much stopping us from getting in and getting it built," he said.

On behalf of the association, Mr Johns has invited other sporting groups to get involved and is looking for people who could volunteer their time and skills to help.

"We can make sure he's not forgotten," he said.

Upon hearing the news that the memorial would go ahead, Heath's mum, Katrina King, said it was "bitter-sweet".

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