YOUNG and old gathered at Port Campbell's main beach to pay their respects to two much-loved community members on Monday.
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Emotions were running high as Life Saving Victoria chief executive officer Nigel Taylor spoke about the tragic loss of father and son Ross and Andrew Powell on Easter Sunday.
"We all know why we're gathered here today," Mr Taylor said.
He also asked those gathered to have Phillip Younis, who was seriously injured in the incident, in their thoughts.
"We're here for a minute's reflection about three lifesavers," Mr Taylor said.
He said the trio embodied "everything that's good" about lifesaving.
Scott McKenzie spoke on behalf of the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club at the gathering.
He said the three lifesavers were a part of the fabric of the community.
"They're a huge part of the heart and soul of our club and right now that heart is hurting badly," Mr McKenzie said.
"While our hearts are hurting badly just be there for one another."
They were joined by surf lifesavers across the nation who also held a minute's silence facing the water.
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Peter 'Blue' Giblett, who went to school with Ross Powell, said he was devastated to learn about his friend's death.
"I was in primary school and high school with him at Timboon and I was in Apex with Ross," Mr Giblett said.
"I've known him all my life, he was a great fella. He was a kind person who always looked after everyone else."
Mr Giblett said Mr Powell loved the sea, loving being a farmer and loved being a father.
"This is going to really rock this district because he's so well-known," Mr Giblett said.
Lawrie Green also considered Mr Powell a mate.
"He was always the first out there in the boat - he was always out there looking after other people," he said.
Warrnambool Surf Life Saving Club members went to Port Campbell to offer support to their fellow volunteers.
Club captain Justin Houlihan said the club had approached Port Campbell and said they were happy to stand in solidarity with them and finish off the final day of patrols.
"They could have closed the beach, but it's a good symbol of clubs helping Port Campbell," Mr Houlihan said.
"It's the least we can do to support the club.
"We have about six senior members helping out.
"Surf life saving is one big fraternity.
"It's not just about us doing their patrol, it's about support and solidarity for surf life saving."
Club member and Warrnambool City councillor David Owen said it was a shocking tragedy.
"Our surf live saving community is in shock having lost two of our own," he said.
"A crew of locals will go down and patrol as a sign of solidarity. It's just awful. We're close to our immediate clubs.
"It's like any emergency service tragedy - when someone is lost in the field it's felt right across the community. My heart goes out to the family, the club and friends. It's a terrible tragedy."
Ross, 71, and Andrew Powell, 32, were life-long members of the Port Campbell Surf Life Saving Club and were prominent figures in the local dairy farming industry.
They drowned on Sunday when, along with fellow Port Campbell SLSC stalwart Phillip Younis, after their rescue boat capsized while they were trying to save a 30-year-old Singaporean tourist in heavy surf near Sherbrook River.
Mr Younis is expected to have surgery on Monday at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne after he was winched to safety on Sunday with serious injuries.
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