By Nick Creely
“Courageous and selfless on and off field…”
The local community is mourning Noble Park man Shaun Oliver who drowned trying to save a stranger’s child on a NSW beach on Sunday 10 September.
The 32-year-old has been lauded as a hero after diving into rough seas on Wollongong’s City Beach to rescue a 12-year-old child who had become caught in the large waves.
He was on business at the time, and was due to fly back in to Melbourne the next day.
Mr Oliver was a popular sportsman and a talented footballer and a passionate supporter of the Keysborough Football Netball Club after playing with the club as a junior and a senior.
“It’s no surprise to anyone at the club that he would put himself in that situation and without question would do what he did,” Keysborough Football Club’s Matt Ferguson said.
“Shaun consistently showed throughout his time at Keysie that he was both courageous and selfless on and off field, the ultimate team mate.
“Post his playing days, Shaun continued to be a very well-liked person around the club. He was one of those supporters who was never negative, a really fantastic person.”
Both the Keysborough and Murrumbeena Football Clubs paid tribute to Mr Oliver prior to their preliminary final on Saturday, observing a minutes’ silence and wearing black arm bands while his close friend, Jason Neville, said a few words as part of the pre-game tribute.
The funeral will be held on Thursday 21 September and friends and family will gather directly after at the social rooms at Rowley Allen Reserve, Keysborough.
Shaun leaves behind his wife Carla and three young children.
A GoFundMe page, set up by Mr Oliver’s cousin Nathanael, aims to raise money to support his young family.
To donate to the cause, visit www.gofundme.com/shaun-oliver-died-saving-others
