‘Heart of gold': Tributes flow for young Wurundjeri father killed in north Melbourne home
Will Austin, 28, was found dead inside a home on Mitchell St at Glenroy, hours before another young man was charged with his murder near the NSW border.
'Will was a Wurundjeri warrior taken tragically,' his father, Bill Nicholson, told 7NEWS.com.au.
'He lived his life with his Wurundjeri culture and family from a strong blood line who continue sovereign responsibility from our ancestors to care for the land, community, and keep culture strong.'
The Wurundjeri elder said he was 'frustrated our young people are still dying in violence'.
'My son was strong and our mob will never forget him,' Nicholson said.
Family members also paid tribute to Austin on social media, with relative Ky-ya Nicholson Wards noting that Austin had been optimistic about his future when she saw him in the days before his death.
'It doesn't feel real,' she wrote.
'You had a heart of gold and we could always still see the real you through the demons you were fighting.
'Thank you for bringing baby Jordy into this world, I will always protect him, and guide him though life. He will always know who his daddy was.
'I hope your soul is resting with all of our family and old people. Gone too soon my brother, you will be missed 'til the day we meet again.'
A 23-year-old was arrested in Albury on Monday afternoon, and on Tuesday faced Albury Local Court where Victorian detectives applied for his extradition.
He did not apply for bail and was extradited from Albury to Wodonga. He is set to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday.
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