Tributes flow for Andrew Batson, 59, after sudden death at Ocean Grove beach

Geelong is in mourning after the tragic passing of a universally respected sporting identity and friend, whose sudden death has sent shockwaves across the Bellarine and wider region.

Andrew Batson, who tragically died last week, was the club captain at the Queenscliff Golf Club and universally loved and admired. Photo: Supplied.

Geelong is in mourning after the tragic loss of a respected sporting and community identity, whose sudden death has sent shockwaves across the Bellarine Peninsula and wider region.

Andrew Batson, 59, has been identified as the victim of a medical episode near an Ocean Grove beach last week, with tributes pouring in for a person universally admired as “a true one-of-a-kind.”

He was found dead by a passer-by inside his car on Surf Beach Rd on Wednesday.

Mr Batson (middle) at a Cats In Business lunch at GMHBA Stadium alongside Steve Clark (left) and David Stewart (right). Picture: Mike Dugdale.

The much-loved golfer, who lived in Point Lonsdale, was the club captain at the Queenscliff Golf Club and spent more than a decade involved with the St Mary’s Football Club.

He is being remembered as a “connector of people” who touched countless lives across the city and who had a powerful impact everywhere he went.

His heartbroken wife, Jen, said their time together “was nowhere near long enough” following his tragic loss.

The pair had recently celebrated their first wedding anniversary.

“Losing him so suddenly has been devastating,” she said.

The Queenscliff business owner remembered their paths crossing frequently throughout their lives before they were reintroduced by mutual friends.

“Since then, he has become the love of my life, filling my world with so much joy and laughter,” she said.

“I am so grateful for the chance to share my life with such an incredible person.”

His brother, David, said Andrew was a “committed and passionate” man who would respond to any task or request with “yes, I can do that.”

“This was Andy Bat,” he said.

“An absolute ripper.”

Andrew Batson and his wife, Jen. Mr Batson is being remembered as a wonderful man and respected community member across Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. Photo: Supplied.

He said his family was thankful he had met Jen.

“He was so happy and in love,” he said.

“He had a full life.”

St Mary’s football club vice president and owner of Blood Toyota, Sean Blood, said the loss of his great friend was “sudden” and “tragic”.

The pair were long-serving board members at the popular Geelong Football League club.

“Andrew was a terrific junior co-ordinator and improved the junior program at the club for more than a decade, he got involved in everything,” he said.

“He is a big loss as a mate, and was such a big character around the footy club ... always had a big smile on his face and would talk to everyone.

“He was a bloke that had a great rapport with all he met.

“He is going to be sorely missed.”

Queenscliff Golf Club president, Brad Teal, said the club was already missing “our much loved mate” with members left devastated at his “surreal” passing.

He described the club captain as “an absolute ball of energy” not only around the golf club, but in Queenscliff.

“There are no words that can explain what has happened and the distress that people are feeling,” he said.

“His mates he grew up with and had close associations with will all be impacted by “Batto’s” passing as he was a very gregarious fellow, knew so many people, connected so many people.

“We will miss him enormously ... he was always buoyant, optimistic.”

Mr Batson was also a welcome face and volunteer at the Queenscliff Football Club.

He was a loving son of Stan and Myra, a cherished sibling of David, Carmel and Anne, loved brother and sister-in-law of Maurie and Tami, and a proud uncle to his nephews and nieces.

He will be farewelled at a funeral service at the Geelong Football Club on Friday, July 26 at 2pm.

Originally published as Tributes flow for Andrew Batson, 59, after sudden death at Ocean Grove beach