He was about to enter the prime of his life when tragedy struck and took one Southern Highlander away from us.
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Mittagong's Shawn Gardner, 20, suffered fatal injuries in a tragic motorcycle accident in early June. He was just short of his 21st birthday on September 17.
His passing on June 8 has left many grieving friends and family.
Shawn's mother Naomi Gardner said that he was a happy-go-lucky young man, who would help anyone if they needed a hand.
"This was evident at a recent away-team's hockey ground," Mrs Gardner said.
"Shawn jumped in and he helped out the ladies' teams. Afterwards he then thanked them for showing him new skills that he could use in the future."
Mrs Gardner will miss Shawn like any mother would, but it's the small idiosyncrasies and passion for life she will miss most.
"His quirky faces and sounds he would make, that will be what I'm going to miss the most," Mrs Gardner said.
"He lived for motorbike riding. Every opportunity he would get to be on his bike, he would take. The freedom to live his life the way he wanted to is what I loved."
Shawn was a very giving person of his time and knowledge. He was constantly trying to improve himself and everyone around him. He coached a hockey team and immersed himself in the game he loved.
"He coached and adored his under 11 kids, and they in turn adored him," Mrs Gardner said.
"He won a scholarship for hockey this year and was over the moon. He took up coaching and was also umpiring to further himself.
"Shawn's zest for life was amazing. Nothing was ever an issue or hassle.
"If you needed him, he was there. He was my rock through his father's accident. When he set his mind to something, he would achieve it, he was stubborn that way."
Shawn grew up playing football with his brother Josh, then he changed to hockey, which his sister Zoey also used to play. He loved his hockey, especially playing with the big boys.
"But most of all was his love of his motorbike. He spent countless hours with his dad fixing it to how he wanted it. He also enjoyed getting out on the water, tubing and knee boarding.
"He loved his girlfriend Natassja immensely. The bond they had was unbreakable. Shawn loved his family, close friends and he loved his Tutu,(nanna)."
This weekend (June 22) there will be a sausage sizzle at Welby Hockey Turf to help raise funds and support Shawn's family. The event will run from 8am to 6pm and all monies raised will be donated to the Gardner family. Donation tins will also be available.
Shawn's funeral will be held on Thursday, June 27, 11am at St Stephens Church in Mittagong.
