Restaurant owner Blake Rogers, 56, died unexpectedly in East Ballina, NSW, on September 21, shocking the local community and leaving his restaurant Chido Cantina closed as his family navigates their loss. His death has prompted an outpouring of support from customers and fellow business owners who remember him for his kindness and dedication to his work and family. A memorial paddle-out is planned for October 24 in Ballina to honor Rogers, with community members urging donations to The Healthy Minds Club in lieu of flowers.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-12,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
A popular coastal restaurant faces an uncertain future following the sudden death of its co-owner.
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Blake Rogers, 56, was reported missing in East Ballina in the NSW Northern Rivers on September 21.
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His body was found later that day.
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body → find → ?
Police are treating his death as non-suspicious.
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Mr Rogers was the driving force behind the Chido Cantina restaurant in Lennox Head, a coastal town 20km south of Byron Bay, which he took over three years ago with his wife Cilla.
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He leaves behind his wife and three children - Xanthe, Zane and Ashlee.
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'I am absolutely shattered.
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I love you forever Dad,' Ashlee posted at the time.
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Ashlee → love → time
An emotional post shared to Chido's social media following Mr Rogers' death said that family and staff had 'no words' for the tragedy.
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family → share → tragedy
The statement added that the Mexican eatery formerly known as Pancho Villa will remain closed 'while we navigate this extremely difficult chapter of our lives'.
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Blake Rogers (above) was reported missing on September 21 and was found dead later the same day
Mr Rogers' (above) funeral was held on October 8 and a paddle-out in his honour is planned for October 24
The restaurant remained closed on Monday, three weeks after Mr Rogers' death.
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The loss has deeply affected the close-knit community in northern NSW, sparking an outpouring of tributes from customers and hospitality operators.
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loss → affect → customers
Lennox eateries Slicks and Baraka shared a joint statement reflecting on Mr Rogers' death following his funeral in Ballina last week.
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eateries → share → Ballina
Co-owners Kat and Ric said the loss made them 'stop and think about what sits behind the places we love'.
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we → say → places
'Running a small business can be incredibly beautiful.
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It can also be incredibly lonely,' Kat wrote.
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'There are the late nights, the numbers, the responsibility, the pressure and the sacrifices your family makes alongside you.
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family → be → you
'Look after your people and don't assume that someone seeming okay means they are.
'Rest easy mate.
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Ric and I are expecting a seat at your table and a bloody delicious margarita waiting for me when we get there.'
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Community members recalled Mr Rogers (above) as kind and dedicated to his business
Mr Rogers was co-owner of Chido Cantina (above) in Lennox Head, which remains closed
A customer wrote: 'My husband and I had our first date at Chido and have had many dates there since over the years - always to be warmly welcomed by Blake.
'We fell pregnant last year with our Chido baby and visited for dinner for our first postpartum date.
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Blake gave us big hugs, congratulations and parenting advice.
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'It was obvious that he absolutely loved his family to bits.
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We are devastated for your loss and the loss to the Lennox community.
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Mourners at his funeral last week were urged to donate to local men's mental health organisation The Healthy Minds Club in lieu of flowers.
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The community is still reeling three weeks on from Mr Rogers' death.
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community → reel → death
A memorial paddle-out in his honour is planned for October 24 at North Wall Ballina.
'Absolutely heartbreaking.
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Sending all our love, strength and deepest condolences to Blake's family, friends and everyone who loved him.
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who → send → him
Rest peacefully Blake,' one local wrote.
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local → rest → ?
Another added: 'We were on holidays at Lennox this year, there was a storm that rolled in and we met Blake because he ushered us inside while it poured rain.
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it → add → rain
The community has rallied around Mr Rogers' family to raise more than $50,000
A third recalled: 'Blake gave my girls their first job with no experience.
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He was always willing to give everyone a start!
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Mr Rogers has been remembered as a devoted husband, deeply loving and incredibly proud father and much loved member of the community.
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Rogers → remember → community
'Chido was a place Blake and his family created for their community.
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Blake → create → community
At the heart of it all was Blake,' family friend Fabiana Vieira Severino wrote on a fundraiser.
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'He was known for his incredible generosity, his kindness and, most of all, his smile.
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Blake had a genuine ability to make people feel welcome and valued.
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He gave so much of himself to the people around him, and his presence became such a familiar and loved part of the Lennox Head community.'
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presence → give → community
The fundraiser, which has already raised $50,000, aims to give the family breathing room while they grieve.
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they → raise → room
'His family is facing a loss that is impossible to put into words,' Ms Severino wrote.
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'Chido Cantina has closed its doors as the family takes the time they need to grieve, come together and work out what the future looks like.
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future → close → what
…and 3 more, not listed.
The Aporia
