The family of Laeticia Brouwer have extended their thanks to the Esperance community, following the unveiling of a memorial at Twilight Beach in honour of the 17-year-old.
Leon and Julie Brouwer visited the region over the weekend, July 21-22, following the installation of a wooden replica of Laeticia’s surfboard surrounded by five jetty timbers – one to represent each member of the family.
Ms Brouwer said the memorial was truly beautiful and the community support had made their difficult journey that little bit easier.
Read more:
“We would like to say a big thank you to the shire and all those involved, particularly Victoria Brown and Matthew Scott, for allowing us to have such a beautiful place to put up a memorial and for the use of the jetty timber,” she said.
“It is truly a beautiful memorial.
“The Esperance community have embraced us and supported us in so many ways in the last 15 months and this has made our difficult journey just that little bit easier.
“We will always have a bond with the Esperance community now and will continue to support the Ocean Safety and Support group and Esperance Surfers.”
The Brouwer family also extended thanks to Wongutha Christian Aboriginal School trainer Kym Polkinghorne and the students involved in creating the special surfboard replica, including Teneesha and Dwayne who helped to install the seat on Friday, July 20.
The family thanked local surfer Brendan Franzone for his support as well as St John Ambulance community paramedic Paul Gaughan for his ongoing presence in their lives.
Laeticia Brouwer lost her life in April 2017 when she was attacked by a shark while surfing in Esperance.
Her family live in Mandurah but often holiday in the Esperance region.
