Three years after fatal shark attack, community cements teacher's legacy with massive fundraising effort

It's a cold, wet morning when runners hit the pavement bound for Elliston from Adelaide.

A gruelling, 720-kilometre slog lies ahead of them, but hearts are full when the 38-strong team of Bucky's Beach Relay take off on Tuesday.

Simon 'Bucky' Baccanello died in a shark attack in the surf at Walkers Rocks off Elliston, but this week his legacy has moved beyond that thanks to a community who loved him.

And rather than let his memory fade with time, friends and family have rallied to raise more than half a million dollars to cement his legacy through a new community sporting facility in Elliston.

"When we have a big group here together, which is what Simon really loved, he just wanted his mates to be together, and he was very good at bringing people together."

Community rocked by tragedy

In May 2023, Simon Baccanello, 46, was surfing at Walkers Rock when he was attacked by a shark about 30 to 50 metres offshore.

An avid surfer and keen fisherman, Simon joined the Elliston Area School earlier that year as a health and physical education teacher, and was involved in junior sports, football and tennis.

Rather than be remembered for his death, Mr Baccanello said he wanted his brother to be remembered for how he lived.

"There's a lot of heartache that has come from Simon's death, which was a really difficult thing at the time," he said.

"But having said that, from it has come a lot of good.

An outpouring of generosity

With an initial goal of $300,000, the team raised more than $500,000, with the funds yet to be fully counted.

Pete McDonald was a friend of Bucky's who organised the relay. He said he was overwhelmed with the community's support.

"I'm sure Simon would be very happy with the fact that what we're doing is for the benefit of a community that he loved, and a community that we've come to love," said Bucky's brother Mr Baccanello.

Elliston Area School principal Chad Fleming has been with the support team throughout the run and said he was "blown away" by the support and camaraderie of the runners.

"You can just feel the vibes coming from everyone that's participating and everyone involved," Mr Fleming said.

Mr Fleming said while plans for the new facility have not yet been finalised, it would focus on community health, wellbeing and fitness.

"We've got a really vibrant committee organised … everyone's having a say and input on what this amazing amount of money will be put towards," he said.

"Even building that committee is bringing people together and I feel like that's gonna be the end result of Simon's legacy in our town.

"He gelled with the kids straight away, got to know so many people so quickly and people talk about those conversations he had with them.

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