As the sun set on Saturday evening, rendering the sky a brilliant pink, a group of 30 or so gathered outside the Caltex service station where Zeeshan Akbar lost his life.
It has been one year since Zeeshan enjoyed a Queanbeyan sunset but if anything was clear from the vigil, his spirit lives strong in his adopted home.
Zeeshan's brother Faizan Akbar was there, along with Zeeshan's best friend and former housemate Adnan Amjid. The deputy high commissioner of Pakistan Dr Muhammad Khelid Ejaz, Queanbeyan-Palerang Mayor Tim Overall, Labor candidate for Monaro Bryce Wilson and members of the community joined Zeeshan's friends to remember the young man taken far too soon.
Faizan Akbar came to Australia with his family two months after Zeeshan was allegedly murdered by two teenagers at his place of work at the Caltex service station.
He said they came to see where Zeeshan had made a home and were completely surprised by the support and love shown to them by the community.
"We lost one brother," Faizan said. "But we gained so many more here in Queanbeyan."
It had been Zeeshan's dream to bring his whole family to Australia, three or four days prior to his death he had applied for permanent residency to begin the process.
Faizan said despite the great pain that had occurred here he hoped Zeeshan's dream could one day come true.
Zeeshan's former manager Jose Olmos said customers had continued to come into the service station to pay their respects.
He said all year people would come to the store, comment on Zeeshan's photo, which sits permanently behind the counter, and often become emotional.
Mayor Overall said he visited the service station once a week for fuel and often found it difficult.
"On many occasions I remember Zeeshan," Cr Overall said.
"The Queanbeyan community feel very embarrassed this happened in our town but Zeeshan and his family are always in our hearts."
While the love for Zeeshan was palpable, the pain of losing him was perhaps no more obvious than when Dr Khelid Ejaz recalled rushing to the store after the incident.
He paused for a minute as he wept silently trying to find the words before concluding simply, "Zeeshan was a pride for us".
Speaking to Mr Amjid it was clear why Zeeshan was so loved by all who knew him.
"Zeeshan was completely selfless," Mr Amjid said. "I never observed him doing anything just for himself."
Faizan added: "Zeeshan lived for others, always."
