Victoria, Australia's Geelong Advertiser has issued the following report from Danny Lannen:

Damo had a gift for breaking the awkward moments.

He did it often in vivid life, usually with something which invited laughter into the vacant space.

He did it again yesterday, but it was the enduring gift of his songs and memories which crowded the difficult silences at his funeral.

He was gone but his voice had not been stilled.

Damien "Damo'' Morris always told his mates all he wanted to do was get up on stage and scream with a heavy metal band and he was living that dream when his life was cut short.

The lead singer of acclaimed Geelong death metal band THE RED SHORE died at 27 on December 19th in a minivan crash near Coffs Harbour. His mate Andy Milner also died. They were on tour.

One of Damo's long-time mates Ryan Chameley told more than 500 mourners at Kardinia Heights Centre yesterday that they had been dorky kids together trying to start bands.

"He actually did it, he walked out on stage and thousands of people would just do what he said,'' Mr Chameley said.

Eloquent tributes shared by family and friends remembered Damo's passions and quirks, his humour and verve, Christian faith founded on Salvation Army and Uniting Church upbringing and innate strength which enabled him to overcome challenges including the loss of his father.

His brother Luke testified to his amazing heart; sister Tegan Butler shared tears as she remembered the excitement of gaining a darling little brother.

"And he was never too cool to be our little brother,'' she said.

Damo's mum Ruth Naismith sketched the life journey of her quirky, whacky boy with a heart of gold.

She said she had been shocked and amazed by the level of media attention he, the band and the accident had received.

"I was blessed to have a son who touched many lives and touched many hearts,'' she said.

Read the full article here.