Body of missing Toorak man Ronald McMaster found near Bairnsdale

Family and friends have paid tribute to Toorak great-grandfather Ronald McMaster whose body was found near Bairnsdale, 12 days after the 95-year-old disappeared.

The body of missing Toorak man Ronald McMaster has been found following a police search of more than a week.

The body of missing Toorak man Ronald McMaster has been found following a police search of more than a week.

The 95-year-old great-grandfather disappeared on May 4 on his way to Bermagui in New South Wales for a car club rally.

Family members became concerned for the man they described as “fiercely independent” when he failed to arrive on May 5.

Sadly the search, which involved the air wing and water police, came to an end in Moornapa near Bairnsdale this morning where passers-by spotted a vehicle down an embankment and a body was located nearby.

McMaster’s family last night issued a statement thanking emergency services for their work and the public for their interest in the search for McMaster.

It was nothing out of the ordinary for McMaster to do something like make the eight-hour trip from his Toorak home to Bermagui, with family describing him as ageless.

95-year-old Melbourne man Ronald McMaster.

“Our family call him Peter Pan because he seems so ageless, he was still playing tennis at 92,” they said in a statement before he was found.

Wolseley Car Club, of which McMaster was a member, posted a tribute on social media saying: “Ron will be very sadly missed by members of the Wolseley Car Club (VIC). Condolences to Ron’s family and thank you one and all for your concern and support during this difficult time.”

Wolseley Car Club president John Mallia said McMaster had been a member of the club for four to five years.

“He wanted to buy a car we had which was partially restored,” Mr Mallia remembered.

“He ended up buying the car

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Friend and fellow Wolseley Car Club member Graham Keys said McMaster loved his cars and was a competent driver.

“He was very passionate about his motoring and had four classic cars,” Mr Keys said.

“He loved his Vanden Plas because it had power steering and his other cars didn’t, which he found awkward.”

Keys said McMaster was a very proud family man and everyone in the car club was shocked at his passing.

“He was liked by everyone in the club and it’s come as a great shock to everyone,” he said.

“He told us he was very proud of his daughter and his sons and to be able to give them a good education meant a lot to him.”

The car enthusiast lived independently since the passing of his wife in 2012.

McMaster’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a report is being prepared for the Coroner.