May 25 marks 12 months since the tragic loss of Jugiong teenager Lui Polimeni while playing rugby league for his beloved Gundagai Tigers. 

In his 15 short years, Lui’s charismatic nature left an indelible mark on those around him. 

He was a popular student at Murrumburrah High School, a respected member of his football club and local community and most of all the much-loved son and brother of Jenny, Gino and Joey Polimeni. 

“There is not a day goes by that we don’t think of him and the heartache is indescribable,” Mrs Polimeni said. 

“We feel Lui had a fantastic life for the short time he was here; he loved the farm, his motorbike, his job, his footy and most of all his family and friends,” she continued. 

If anything positive can come from the heartbreak, it has been the communities of Jugiong, Harden and Gundagai stepping up for the family. 

Since his passing perpetual trophies in his honour have been introduced at Jugiong Public School, Murrumburrah High School, the Jugiong Swimming Club with the Gundagai Tigers under 16s to present a trophy for the first time this year. 

Recently, school mates honoured Lui at the debutante ball in Harden with the bouquet of each young lady featuring a photo of Lui, a speech made on the night and the girls entering the room to a favourite song of Lui’s – Guns and Roses’ Sweet Child O’ Mine. 

More than 4000 wrist bands bearing the words #livelikelui #playlikelui have been worn by friends across the district. 

An immense effort has been put in by the Jugiong community raising just under $11,000 to sponsor a cow named in Lui’s honour to cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of the Herd of Hope. 

Jugiong Motel owners Jen and Mark Milner hosted a mega raffle of donated items while another couple from the village asked for donations to be made to the cause in lieu of gifts at their recent wedding. 

The Herd of Hope is the brainchild of South Australian Megan McLoughlan, herself a double transplant recipient. 

Mrs McLoughlan secured a meeting this week with Roads Minister Melinda Pavey to negotiate closing the Harbour bridge for just two hours early on a Sunday morning. 

It is hoped the event will take place in October with the main aim being to raise funds and awareness for increased rural and regional support services for both transplant recipients and donor families. 

Mrs McLoughlan in proposing a similar system to the breast care nurses rolled out in communities across the country.

Having experienced the system firsthand, Mrs Polimeni concurred more could be done for families without easy access to a capital city. 

The current follow-up system for families sees them encouraged to seek help, whereas Mrs Polimeni said a more appropriate avenue would be to have someone call in on families. 

“You don’t know what help you need at the time so having someone call in and offer what has worked for other families would be very beneficial,” she said. 

She said a boost to support available, particularly in country areas, would be a wonderful lasting legacy for Lui. 

On the day of Lui’s passing, a number of tributes have been organised including the planting of an apple tree and a wear your footy jersey day at Murrumburrah High School as well as a breakfast at the Hard Rock gym in Harden with Lui’s favourites Vegemite toast and apples.