Meredith dad Gary Schoning remembered as ‘great bloke’ with ‘heart of gold’

Friends have remembered a Meredith dad and “great bloke” as someone who would “bend over backwards to help his mates”.

Meredith man Gary Schoning died on March 2, 2025. Picture: GoFundMe

Friends have paid tribute to a regional Victorian “great bloke” with a “heart of gold” who died unexpectedly earlier this month.

Meredith man Gary Schoning, who was an active member in Ballarat’s hunting scene, died on March 2 aged in his 50s.

Mr Schoning with three of children. Picture: GoFundMe

Close friend Ken Vickers said Mr Schoning was “a bit of a rough diamond, but he had a heart of gold”.

“He was just a great bloke that’d bend over backwards to help his mates,” he said.

“He drove from Meredith to my place – I live in Sunshine – three days in a row to help me move.

“If you needed help he was one of the first guys to stick his hand up and come and give you a hand.”

Ballarat Field and Game Inc wrote online: “Rest easy big fella.”

Mr Vickers set up an online fundraiser to help Mr Schoning’s partner cover funeral costs and provide stability for their three young children – one of whom is barely a month old.

“I am asking everyone to please dig deep and donate what they can,” he wrote.

“Ell and the kids need as much help as we can give them.”