Peter Stewart: Tributes flow for Southport diver who died off The Spit

Gareth Aucock lost his best mate and carer when Southport diver Peter Stewart went missing in waters off Main Beach.

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GARETH Aucock lost his best mate and carer when Southport diver Peter Stewart went missing in waters off Main Beach.

The tragedy sent a wave of grief through the Gold Coast community – a testament to how many lives Mr Stewart touched during his 67 years.

After tributes flowed in from the diving community for the “kind and generous” Southport man, an Arundel family has revealed how much the loss impacted them.

Gareth Aucock with his carer Peter Stewart. Picture: supplied

Mr Stewart’s body was found in the water on Monday afternoon after he went missing during a solo dive off The Seaway the night before. But when he wasn’t exploring waters around the Coast, Mr Stewart was taking care of Gareth Aucock.

Almost three years ago, Mr Aucock, 29, suffered a brain injury after a severe asthma attack. Mr Stewart became his carer and formed a special bond with him.

“He did everything with Gareth and took him to his therapy appointments,” Gareth’s mum Susan Aucock said. “Even during the Covid lockdown, Peter spent time with Gareth in the garden and they grew plants and veggies. We chatted like family.”

Gold Coast man Gareth Aucock before a life-threatening asthma attack in August 2018 with girlfriend Juliet (L) and mother Sue (R) by his side.

Ms Aucock was in shock after Mr Stewart’s nieces called to deliver the heartbreaking news he’d died: “When we got the phone call, we burst into tears,” she said. “Gareth was really upset and couldn’t believe it.”

Ms Aucock paid tribute to the “nice, friendly” Southport dad, whose kindness helped her son at a difficult time: “It has left a hole in our lives. But he loved his diving. He was always talking about his diving.”

‘Kind and generous’: Tributes pour in for passionate Southport diver

TRIBUTES have flowed in from the Gold Coast diving community for a Southport man who died “doing what he really enjoyed”.

Peter Stewart’s body was found in the water off Main Beach on Monday afternoon after he went missing during a solo dive off The Seaway the night before.

Friend Fiona Woodward said the 67-year-old worked as a carer for a young man under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

She described Mr Stewart as “kind and generous” and always prepared to help anyone in need.

“We feel very sorry for his passing. He was a good friend of ours,” Ms Woodward said.

“We only found out at lunch time (Monday) that he was missing.

“To find out Peter had been reported missing – we immediately thought the worst.”

Peter Stewart, 67, from Southport died while diving at the Gold Coast. Picture: supplied

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Friend Leon du Plessis said Mr Stewart had been diving for 40 years and often went out by himself.

“We always tried to talk him out of it,” Mr du Plessis said.

Ms Woodward said her friend’s death served as a tragic reminder for other divers.

“Diving is a very safe sport if you follow the rules and always dive with someone else – never dive alone,” she said.

“Only dive to the limits of your ability.”

A friend of the deceased helps police search the Southport Seaway for a weight belt that belonged to the diver that died. Picture Glenn Hampson

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Another friend, Ian Banks, described Mr Stewart as a “passionate” diver and environmentalist.

“He ended his time doing what he really enjoyed,” Mr Banks said.

“He had a passion for cleaning up fishing line and debris in the Seaway.

“Even though he wasn’t associated with an environmental group or anything like that, he just did it off his own back.

“He will be missed by a lot of people.”

Police divers and friends of the deceased search the Southport Seaway for a weight belt that belonged to the diver that died. Picture Glenn Hampson

Queensland Scuba Diving owner Mark Salter said most divers in the area worked together.

“It’s a terrible tragedy that someone has died,” he said.

Members of various Facebook diving groups posted tributes online for their fellow diver.

“I saw Peter suited and booted on the stairs as I was having a late lunch (on Sunday),” Jack Stanistreet posted on the Dive Buddies Gold Coast group.

“He was such a nice guy to me – quiet mostly – but always opened up for a chat when I had questions.

“It’s incredibly sad that he lost his life and I hope it wasn’t painful, but at least he went out doing what he loved. Rest easy mate.”

Police divers and friends of the deceased search the Southport Seaway for a weight belt that belonged to the diver that died. Picture Glenn Hampson

Water police were called to help the search for Mr Stewart about noon Monday.

His body was found two nautical miles out to sea later that afternoon.

It is understood Mr Stewart’s weight belt has not been found.

Police will prepare a report for the Coroner.

Follow @Melwhiting