‘Down to earth’: Tradie dies in floodwaters at Woodside

A Woodside tradie is being remembered as a down to earth and gentle man after he died in floodwaters on Thursday.

Brian Gilliland has been remembered as a helpful man after his body was found in his car submerged in flood waters at Woodside on Thursday. Picture: David Caird

A man who died in floodwaters at Woodside on Thursday has been remembered as a quiet and helpful man.

Emergency services found Brian Gilliland in his car submerged in floo waters at Starlings Lane about 1.45pm after wild weather lashed Victoria and flooded Gippsland.

His neighbour Joesph Marchese said the auto-electrician in his 60s had lived in the area for more than 20 years.

“He kept to himself but he would always help people if they had electrical issues,” Mr Marchese said.

“I respected him and he respected me.”

Yarram Tyres and Exhausts employee Cale Barriball worked across the street from Mr Gilliland.

“He was a down to earth and gentle man,” Mr Barriball said.

“He loved his animals and went fishing on the weekend religiously.”

Mr Barriball said the father of four loved his pet border collie Pee who was found alive on Thursday.

“He took Pee everywhere and he loved the dog so much,” he said.

Mr Gilliland’s family said Pee was with the man when he died but was found alive on top of the submerged car.

Hundreds of thousands of residents across the state were affected by Victoria’s wild winter storm, which brought down trees, cut power, damaged property and flooded homes.

A second Victorian is also believed to have died in flood waters.

The body of a missing 20-year-old woman was discovered by search and rescue police on Friday.