Cricket fans across the country are being encouraged to put fishing rods out at the front of their homes as the community pays homage to Australian cricketing great Andrew Symonds.
The Rods Out for Roy campaign was launched yesterday by the North Queensland Cricket Association as a nod to the keen fisherman from Charters Towers.
Association president Peter Busch said it was "the least we could do".
"Roy did so much for the community across so many sports," he said.
"Despite being a cricketing legend and superstar there was so much more to the man and we just want to remember him for the great guy he was."
The 46-year-old was killed after his car left the roadway on the rural Harvey Range road outside Townsville and rolled at about 11pm on Saturday.
Despite the best efforts of first responders, Symonds died from his injuries at the scene.
Investigations into the cause of the crash are continuing.
Mr Busch remembered Symonds as everyone's mate and a good all-round country bloke who mentored his son when he was struggling with his cricket.
"Roy said, 'Give me his number,'" Mr Busch said.
"He rang him and had a chat.
'Lived and breathed' for home
State MP Robbie Katter grew up playing sport with the cricket legend in Charters Towers.
"I don't think his soul ever left North Queensland — I think he just lived and breathed for the place," Mr Katter said.
Symond's came up through the ranks in junior cricket at the Wanderers cricket club in Townsville.
President Barry Emmanuel said the dedication and commitment of the young Symonds, who regularly made the three-hour round-trip from Charters Towers to Townsville for training and games, was still spoken about.
Symonds's affiliation with the club saw him become a valued companion for the likes of Mitchell Johnson, who also played for the club.
Mr Emmanuel said Johnson would be "devastated" by the death of his mentor, role model and mate.
"He would really be struggling with this news," Mr Emanuel said.
"He was such a humble man who achieved so much but remained so grounded.
'The shirt off his own back'
Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill became emotional when reflecting on the impact Symonds had on the community.
"Larrikins like him don't come around very often and he will be missed," she said.
"He was a beacon to young people to show them that they can achieve anything just by living here in North Queensland.
"He would shout the bar when his kids were born — he was part of our community and he really would give you the shirt off his own back."
Ms Hill said it was a privilege to get to know the man after cricket.
"The fact that Roy chose the retire up here showed that he loved the lifestyle," she said.
"He had three boats one for creek — one for close inshore and another one to go out on the reef.
"That's how much he loved his fishing.
