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TJ Hickey remembered

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24 February 2004 - TONY JONES: A funeral has been held in northern NSW for the Aboriginal teenager Thomas Hickey, whose death sparked Sydney's Redfern riot.

The young man's family had appealed to mourners to remain calm and the funeral in the town of Walgett went ahead peacefully.

Adrian Raschella reports.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA: About 300 family and friends gathered for today's funeral, many making the long bus trip up from Sydney.

The service was told that Thomas Hickey was the protector of his family - on one occasion he saved a sister from drowning.

MAN: Brother TJ, you had a smile for everyone, you had a heart of gold.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA: The 17-year-old had a passion for rugby league while growing up here.

His team mates from the Walgett Dragons formed an honour guard.

But many of Thomas Hickey's family could not attend because they're serving jail time, including his dad and three uncles.

The funeral procession made its way through the town centre, with stores along the main street shut as a mark of respect.

The teenager died last week after he crashed his bike and became impaled on a fence.

His family blamed the police, accusing them of chasing him at the time.

That sparked the nine hour riot in Redfern.

THOMAS HICKEY SNR, GRANDFATHER: Very sad, very sad for me, yeah.

I've lost a good little mate today.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA: Extra police were called into Walgett following security concerns, but they kept a very low profile.

SUPT STAN SINGLE, WALGETT POLICE: We'll certainly be vigilant, we will remain prepared.

But I'm quietly confident that nothing will happen tonight.

ADRIAN RASCHELLA: Police believe heavy rain here today also helped to keep heads cool, along with pleas from Aboriginal elders to let the Hickey family grieve in peace.

In Sydney, up to 300 people held a peaceful march through Redfern's streets and paid their respects at the scene where the teenager died.

And 17 demands in relation to his death were presented to police - one for every year of his life.

Source: ABC Lateline

Further information: redfern riots