Service to honour killed surfer
A MEMORIAL service will be held tomorrow for Sunshine Coast surfer Mark Ovenden who was killed while holidaying in Bali.
The service will be held from 1pm at the Goodlife Buderim Church.
It will be followed by a traditional surfers' service in the ocean off Cotton Tree where paddlers will form a circle and hold hands in memory of the 34-year-old.
Depending on weather conditions the service may be moved further towards Alexandra Headland.
Mr Ovenden's body was discovered lying on an isolated bush track beside his motor scooter near Kutuh Village, Nusa Dua on June 21.
He had been asphyxiated after receiving a severe beating about his head and upper body.
He was last seen by friends when he left a massage on June 19 saying he was going to pick up some surfboards. He had flown to Bali the weekend before with mate Damian Harrington from the Gold Coast.
Mr Ovenden was familiar with Bali and had visited several times. He lived at Alexandra Headland with mates and was completing tickets to pursue a career on working boats.
The Department of Foreign Affairs said it had been advised that an investigation was continuing into the circumstances that led to Mr Ovenden's death.
His sister Kellie, an anaesthetist at Nambour Hospital, and his mother Chris flew to Bali immediately they were notified of the tragedy They were among more than 13 people questioned by police.
Mr Ovenden was cremated in Bali on June 26 and his ashes returned to Australia with his sister and mother.
Ms Ovenden said on her return that Mark had definitely been murdered. He had gone to Bali happy, fit, strong and healthy.
The media were asked to respect the family's privacy and not attend the memorial service at the Good life Buderim Church.
However the press is welcome at the surfers' tribute.
