Samara Laverty wants people to know who her son, Declan, was — before his highly-publicised death.
Following his alleged murder at a Darwin bottle shop last month, the community has rallied around and mourned with his family.
Speaking at a public memorial service for Declan at the Darwin Convention Centre on Saturday, Samara expressed her gratitude.
"It's been hard to express the amount of love and support that we have felt from an entire community and we thank you from the bottom of our heart," she said.
"This is our way of giving back to you, our thanks to you."
Declan's death also prompted a number of rallies calling for action on crime, as well as a government review of bail laws and police powers.
Hundreds gathered for Declan's funeral in his hometown of Cairns earlier this month.
But, Samara said the public memorial was a chance for the community Declan was living in when he died to really get to know him.
"We want you to know Declan, not the 20-year-old man who was stabbed to death at BWS 10 minutes before his shift ended on the 19th of March this year," she said.
"You deserve to know who you're grieving for with us."
'The best big brother a sister could ask for'
Samara described her son as an animal and AFL lover, who was known for greeting the dogs that came through the BWS Airport Tavern drive-through where he worked.
She said Declan also met some of his sporting heroes at work including Eddie Betts and members of the Rioli family, and was working towards a career as a rap musician.
"He totally turned his life around, he found his passion and was willing to work for it," Samara said.
"He didn’t know how he was getting there, but he knew he would."
Samara, who lives in Cairns, said the distance between her and her son made their relationship stronger.
"We spoke every single day. He would text me at least once a day, 'I love you mum, I miss you mum'," she said.
"We got to know each other as people, not just mother and son.
"Our loss is impacting us at every single moment in every single day."
Declan's younger sister, Bridget, told the crowd although they fought "like cats and dogs", Declan was "the best big brother a sister could ask for".
"You picked out my name. I'm a Bridget because of you, you wanted me to be," she said.
"I'm always going to remember the good memories with you, forever."
Plaque to be erected in Declan's honour
BWS General Manager of Operations Ash Stephenson, who spoke at the memorial, read a message on behalf of Declan's store manager Lolita Lamberto, who stood by his side fighting back tears.
"Our hearts are shattered and our friend is gone," Ash said.
"You wont be forgotten, I'll pat every puppy and say it's from you."
The company will erect a plaque dedicated to Declan at the bottle shop where he died on Saturday.
