Ben Roberts ('91) Memorial Walk 2022

On 7 November 2002, Ben Roberts passed away after 26 days of fighting to stay alive from burns suffered in the Bali Bombings on 12 October 2002. The burns to his body were so severe and the antibiotics were at such a toxic level that he had to be placed in a coma to allow the body enough strength to recover. Unfortunately the treatment was too much for his body, and he succumbed. 

The sad news that Ben had lost his fight hit the Trinity Community hard. 

Twenty years on from this tragic loss,  the community came together on 6 November 2022 and walked from Bondi to Coogee to remember Ben. Along the way we visited Ben’s Memorial Bench at Waverley Cemetery and the Bali Bombing Memorials at Coogee. 

Drawn together by our time at Trinity and the loss of one of our own, we came together to remember and celebrate Ben’s life with his parents and to check in with each other to see how everyone is after all these years. This was a most memorable moment and was such an honour and privilege to share it with Ben’s parents and family. 

Even though much time has passed, we can still relate to one another just like we did way back when we were bound together in a place of learning at Summer Hill. 

Remembering Ben’s time at Trinity also lets us reflect and remember the good times as well as the struggles that made us like a  “Band of Brothers.“

“This story shall the good man teach his son,
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers.
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother.”
(King Henry, Act 4 Scene 3)

Roderick Seeto ('91)