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TOBY Flew’s grief-stricken mates have described the young surfer as an inspiration to many.
Trent McMurray, Joe Haddon, Ryan Biancardi, Ben Jansen and Nick Wagner collectively described their mate as an “inspirational” “funny” and “selfless” person who could sit down and share a conversation with just about anyone.
“He was a one in a million kind of dude,” Mr McMurray said of his friend of over 10 years.
“Usually you have one or two good mates but he was close to so many people.
“He was never too good for anyone. He always made the time for everyone.”
Mr Biancardi said Toby would be greatly missed not only by the Great Lakes community but by those from afar.
“I’ve known him for 15 years and I never knew just how many people loved him and how many people he had an effect on,” he said.
Coming from a tight-knit family, Mr Haddon said Toby shared a
special connection with his mother Theresa who was always “looking out for him.”
A strong demeanour even after having major brain surgery was the “amazing thing about Tobes,” Mr Jansen said.
“Three days after having brain surgery to go on and do the things that he did, was unbelievable,” he said.
“Only 24 hours after having the surgery all he was concerned about was whether he could play golf or not.”
Mr Wagner, who shared a friendship with Toby for the bulk of his life, said he will miss everything about his mate, even his competitive side.
“We were both very competitive but we were always on the same level,” he said.
“A guy I spoke to recently said: ‘I didn’t even know Toby but I remember seeing him around, I’ll always remember that smile’.”