MOURNERS have remembered former Albury junior sprint champion Julia Nation as a larger than life personality.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Nation, who died suddenly recently aged 32, was farewelled on Wednesday with family and friends paying tribute to her ability to light up a room.
The former Albury High School student was a running sensation at 17 when she became only the second female athlete behind Cathy Freeman to win the 200m and 400m at the Devonport Gift.
She represented Australia in the U.S. and was nominated for the Albury Young Achiever of the Year award.
But it was her personality rather than athletic prowess which made her special.
During the service her younger brother of seven years, Jack Michell, tried as best he could to read his tribute to Julia but was overcome with emotion.
In his parting words, which were read by another mourner, Jack spoke of the way he idolised his sister from a young age.
"I have always looked up to my big sister," he said.
"She always told me that if anyone gave me a hard time at school she'd come over and beat them up."
Jack reminisced about his sister's larger than life personality and the way she would entertain the whole family.
"'Julz' was forever the actress," he said.
"She often had us in stitches with her crazy acting, her funny character voices and her colourful personality.
"There were many family barbecues, birthday parties and Christmas lunches where she would let her light shine and crack us all up.
"I loved 'Julz' a lot and I'm going to miss her a lot."
Some of Jack's earliest memories of his late sister involved them playing with Lego, on their gaming console and the many childhood days spent on their grandparents farm.
"One time shifting cattle when 'Julz' was driving Pa's old red ute with a round bail on the back to get the cows to follow them into the paddock," he said.
"'Julz' gunned it through the gateway and the big round bail rolled off the back, blocking the cows entry.
"Needless to say, Pa was not impressed.
"'Julz' bought me my first drink, a slab of vodka raspberry Cruisers for a mate's birthday at the tenpin bowl and we all sat in the dunnies and drank them."
IN OTHER NEWS:
Karen Anderson, a long-time friend of Julia's, read a poem she had written in her memory.
"Julz' had a smile that could light the nation," she said.
"Her beauty and personality was one wonderful creation.
"Goodbye you beautiful soul, my cousin, my friend, my love and appreciation for you will never end."
Maria Florissen read a tribute on behalf of Julia's partner Shannon.
"I won't talk about moments that highlighted our time together, because it was every minute of every day," the tribute read.
"To sum us up, we were two imperfect people, perfect for each other."
Bec Nicholls read an excerpt from Winnie the Pooh by A.A Milne.
"You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem and smarter than you think," she read.
"But the most important thing is, even if we're apart, I'll always be with you."