Kate Baines was heartbroken this week when she heard news of Rockhampton legend Harry Mimi losing his battle with cancer.
Mr Mimi was well known throughout the local community not only for serving his country during the Vietnam War, but also for the flamboyant and striking fashions he wore around town.
"Harry was well known around the shopping centre and all around Rockhampton for his amazing hats and how he perfectly coordinated all of his outfits to match his hats," Ms Baines said.
"He was a customer of ours [a spectacle retailer] since 1998. We do the veteran's glasses here through the Department of Veterans Affairs, so every two years he would come in for an eye test. Every now and then he would just come in for a chat too."
News of Mr Mimi's illness spread through social media on Tuesday, December 1.
"I was completely shocked that it happened as quickly as it did. He was always such a fine looking man, so fit and healthy," Ms Baines said.
"As soon as we found out about the news of Harry's illness we decided straight away that we needed to do something to show our support."
The Vietnam veteran moved back to Gayndah to be with his family after the diagnosis, but passed away earlier this week.
In Harry's honour, Ms Baines and her co-workers decided to start the #hatsforharry campaign, encouraging the community of Rockhampton to take a selfie wearing a colourful hat and share the photo on social media using their hashtag.
Within 24 hours of producing a flyer to send around on Facebook, more than 700 people had shared the post.
"The last photo we had together was taken last year and he had the red sombrero hat on. So when we came up with this idea I thought, 'That's definitely the hat I have to find'," Ms Baines said.
People of all ages across the town have rallied behind the campaign in the memory of Mr Mimi.
Lenore Stewart and the staff at the Alma Street Veterinary Hospital embraced the colourful campaign by wearing their most outrageous hats into work today.
"I honestly don't think there's anyone who wasn't aware of Harry," Ms Stewart said.
"My husband has known Harry for many, many years and they would often have cups of tea and talk about the war.
"Harry had so much information to share."
Janae Cariage, who works in the Kern Arcade on East Street in Rockhampton, was Mr Mimi's last Valentine.
"Every year he picks someone. He used to call me his white chocolate," she said.
"For Valentine's Day I got a massive teddy bear with a love heart, and two flowers: one that flashed and one that sang a song.
"He liked to make people embarrassed, that was his thing. If you went red, he really enjoyed it."
Lauren Thompson, who works at the florist a few shops away, believes this is why he picked Janae as his Valentine.
"Whenever he would come up [to visit] she would really laugh," Ms Thompson said.
Ms Thompson would regularly have lunch with Mr Mimi in the arcade on her breaks from work, where he would share stories from his time in Vietnam and more recently about his treatment.
"He was telling me about how the doctors were putting dye through his blood. He didn't mention what for, but [I assume] it finds infections and stuff like that," she said.
"It still hasn't fully sunk in that he's actually gone."
Both women hope to attend his funeral in Gayndah.
Hundreds of comments were left on the Royal Australian Infidel Facebook page, which is a community in support of Australia's Defence Force members and their service.
After the announcement of his death at age 71, many called Mr Mimi a hero of our country.
Aileen Hubbard said: "You are our hero Harry Mimi. Thank you for fighting for our country and for your service to mankind. I will always remember your beautiful smile."
Geoffrey Dalton said: "We have seen this larger than life identity on our many visits to Rockhampton. Colourful, debonair and always chatting to someone. Behind the waxed moustache was a hero. We will miss your presence. Rest in Peace."
Mr Mimi served in the Vietnam war at the age of 22, early on during the conflict.
The Morning Bulletin newspaper reported Mr Mimi raised concerns that his illness may have stemmed from the use of Agent Orange in the war, following the cancer-related deaths of several others in his company.
