‘Heartbroken’ family remember Laurie Haylock, Traralgon man who drowned off of Smiths Beach

The family of a Traralgon man who tragically drowned at a popular Phillip Island beach has taken comfort that he died doing what he loved.

Smith’s Beach, where a bodyboarder drowned on April 26, 2023.

A heartbroken family is still “in shock” after losing a devoted family man when he tragically drowned at Phillip Island last week.

Laurie Haylock’s daughters this week remembered their dad as a “fit and healthy man” who loved the outdoors and music.

Mr Haylock had been bodyboarding at Smiths Beach last Wednesday when he signalled for help about 9am.

Beach goers dragged him to shore but he sadly could not be revived.

It was later discovered the 70-year-old had suffered from a heart attack, causing him to drown.

His youngest daughter Jess Haylock described her dad as her “best friend” who she would deeply miss being a “goofball” with.

“He was just the most amazing dad. He was everything to me,” she said.

His other daughter Lauren Hall said she would miss her dad’s “constant guidance” and support.

Laurie Haylock on his 70th birthday.

Laurie Haylock, 70, tragically died after he had a heart attack while body boarding at Smiths Beach in April. 2023.

“For me personally dad was a massive support and we would talk on the phone all the time. I would ring dad a lot,” she said.

“Just for that life advice and that guidance. I will miss those chats on the phone.”

Mr Haylock was born in Bairnsdale and lived there for decades until he made the move to Traralgon about 30 years ago, but it did not keep him away from the place he loved most - the beach.

He would regularly make the four-hour round journey to Phillip Island to swim or bodyboard, often at Smiths Beach.

“He really loved it there,” Ms Hall said.

“He had a little cafe he loved to go to and it was just kind of his little thing he loved to do.

“Being 70, he couldn’t really get up on a surfboard anymore but he loved to bodyboard.”

Ms Haylock, who is now 23, credits her dad for developing her love of music and getting her involved with musical theatre at school.

She and her dad shared a special bond over music and performance and would often travel to Melbourne together to see musicals.

Jess Haylock and her Dad Laurie.

Laurie Haylock, 70, loved the beach.

“He loved music, we really bonded over that,” she said. “We would be in the car just listening to music and singing together.”

She described her dad as “one in a million” and said it was his “energy” she would miss the most.

“He just had this really calming energy about him. He made you feel like everything would be okay,” she said.

Mr Haylock was described as “always [being] busy”, with his life full of hobbies and making memories with people he loved - including his two, now devastated, young grandchildren.

“He was the most amazing father and grandfather,” Ms Hall said.

He had recently taken time off from his job at Loy Yang power station to travel with Carleen, his wife of 25 years.

“He had really only just gone back to work,” Ms Hall said.

Jess Haylock and her Dad Laurie.

While coming to terms with his untimely death, his family has found comfort in knowing he died at a place he loved, doing something he loved.

“Dad was always his happiest when he was at the beach,” she said. “Even in the middle of the winter.”

“He was really active and he took great pride in his health so this has come as a really big shock to us,” Ms Hall said.

Mrs Hall would also like to thank those in the Phillip Island community who helped her dad on that day.

“There were so many wonderful people who tried to save Dad, and we really are so thankful he was surrounded by those people.”