More than 50 mourners gathered at the Ballarat Funeral Centre in Doveton Street for a private ceremony to pay their respects to the much loved 14-year-old autistic boy who died from head injuries after allegedly being struck during the altercation at 5am last Saturday.

He was later buried at Ballarat New Cemetery.

The incident has rocked the Scarsdale community and the wider community including Ballarat Specialist School where Timothy was a student.

Death notices posted in The Courier summed up the grief of family and friends; “so dearly loved, so sadly missed” but it was social media which reflected the widespread nature of the grief at the loss. A social media site set up for dedications to Timmy has received 338 likes and more than 1100 postings since the weekend.

Many expressed their horror at the suddenness of the incident and the youth of the victim.

“Oh what sad day it is when someone so young and innocent loses his life in such a horrendous way,’’ Pauline Galea posted. 

“Rest in peace beautiful boy. You will be very sadly missed by all who knew and loved you. God speed sweetheart.” Margaret Bartlett also posted 

Some paid tribute to his bravery and willingness to help others

“Timmy you were so brave helping others. You are now a hero in heaven,” Delreith Roberts wrote.

Ballarat mayor and school principal John Burt earlier described Timothy O’Brien as a great kid and a “real joy” to teach and told The Courier the incident was a devastating reminder of how precious life was.

Joel Henderson, 39, of Wendouree and Darren Wilson, 35, of Ballarat were charged with murder on Monday and will reappear in Ballarat Magistrates Court on June 20.