Fifteen fire pits were placed in a circle to mark each year of Cassius Turvey's short life, smoke pouring out and over the mass of people gathered to mourn his death.
About 2,000 people crowded into Weeip Park in the Perth suburb of Midland for a candlelight vigil in honour of the 15-year-old Noongar Yamatji schoolboy on Monday night.
The teenager died after a man allegedly struck him with a metal pole as he was walking with friends after school.
Surrounded by her extended family, Cassius's mother Mechelle Turvey spoke through her grief directly to all those who had come in a powerful show of unity.
"Thank you, each and every one of you," she said, wearing a T-shirt with Cassius's image on the front and the words "Kids matter" on the back.
"Thank you for loving my son whether you knew him or not."
She had sat at the front through emotional, difficult but also joyous speeches by Cassius's uncles, brothers, nieces, close friends and his basketball coach.
She had wiped tears away, hugged those around her and swung her arms above her head as children sang a song for Cassius.
And now she spoke about the person that was her son.
He had been named after Cassius Clay, the great Muhammad Ali.
'The greatest' spirit
"He was strong. And as Muhammad Ali done throughout his life, he wasn't just strong in boxing but he took his strong words into the community and to the world," Ms Turvey said.
"So many people have said so many things about Cassius. But my son is my greatest."
Earlier, everyone at the vigil was invited to take gum leaf branches and pass them through the smoke of the fire pits in a healing ceremony.
Ms Turvey held back tears as she said Cassius would be 15 for ever. She called for justice.
"And I want to put this message out stronger, stronger and stronger, kids matter. They really do," she said.
"All our kids. Black, white, brown, pink, yellow, it doesn't matter. We are all the same, we are all one people on this planet."
Ministers pay respect
Among those in the crowd were Police Commissioner Col Blanch, who Ms Turvey had met with earlier in the day to discuss the alleged attack on her son, as well as Police Minister Paul Papalia, Deputy Premier Roger Cook and other government ministers and MPs.
Speakers at the vigil had strong words to say about violence.
Cassius's nephew Jacob Collard said his uncle "lit up a room with his big presence and best smile" and never deserved what happened to him.
"White, black or brindle, it does not matter," he said.
"This cannot be happening in our own communities."
'We are the catalyst'
MC for the night Cheryl Kickett-Taylor called for change.
"This is community, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal," she said.
"It's about all of us. We are the catalyst of change."
But the personal loss was very deeply felt and the pain long-lasting.
Cassius's uncle Roger remembered Cassius's selflessness.
"He didn't want much. He wasn't flash," he said.
"He was just very happy to be around family. He was very family oriented."
A cross for each year of life
In Geraldton, about 440 kilometres north of Perth, about 150 people came together as children carried 15 crosses representing each year of Cassius's life.
A statement written by his mother Mechelle was read, Elder Nola Gregory recited a poem written for the teenager and Pacific Islanders performed a haka.
Darren Turvey, a second cousin of Cassius' father spoke briefly, describing his shock.
"Especially when you've got children yourself, boys, my young grandsons, I've been thinking about them, my nephews around Cassius' age," he said.
"Keep close to your children because they are very important, it's just so sad."
Mr Turvey said the vigil had brought him comfort.
"It's good to see all multi-cultured people getting together, because we've all got that feeling for our children and for all kids in general," he said.
Geraldton grandfather, Ray Dan, joined with his grandchildren in a show of support for Cassius's family at the Midwest vigil.
"I work with children and it's just a horrible thing that any child gets hurt and emotionally it did just get to me," he said.
Emotional week for Noongar community
In Northam, 100 kilometres east of Perth, around 70 locals lit candles and joined together for a ceremonial walk along the Avon River to mark Cassius's death.
Attendees were encouraged to wear Halloween costumes to the vigil to celebrate his favourite holiday.
Organiser Agnes Lockyer said she wanted to create an environment where locals felt comfortable sharing their stories and perspectives.
"It was really heartwarming. I really wanted to create a safe space for our community to come together — not only our Noongar community but also our Wedjala (white) community," she said.
"This is a national day of action that we've achieved and we're a part of it."
Ms Lockyer said it had been an emotional few weeks for First Nations communities.
"It's triggered a lot of people… everyone's angry and everyone's scared — there's a lot of fear. We need to address it here as a community," she said.
In the Tasmanian town of Cygnet, south-west of Hobart, more than 70 people came together in a vigil for Cassius.
"We want Cassius' mother and family and community to know how deeply we care about what has happened," organiser Nina West said.
"This is a country-wide issue, that must be addressed. This cannot happen again."
