It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Avoca Beach SLSC, Central Coast Branch and Surf Life Saving NSW Life Member, Alistair ‘Slim’ Peebles, on Saturday 8 October.
A tireless worker within the Surf Life Saving movement and an invaluable asset to his club, branch and state, Slim joined Avoca Beach in 1973 and will best be remembered as an all-rounder who would do “anything and everything” around the club.
“He was a bit of a lifesaver of the old days, and he was the guy you relied on when you needed something done,” Avoca Beach SLSC President, Stuart Harvey said.
“He didn’t sit up high in any of the committees, but when you needed something done around the club, Slim was there.
“Slim’s life was Surf Life Saving – he committed so much time to it and he taught so many life skills to people around the place.
“In a way, that’s what it’s all about.”
Slim was well known around Avoca Beach to focus much of his time on educating the younger kids coming through – many of whom remain active members of the club and are now in their 30s and 40s, passing down that knowledge once again to a new generation.
His true love, though, was for the rubber ducks. The Inflatable Rescue Boats – of which he was a “guru”, as Stuart described it – would engage Slim in racing, management, and officiating.
An infectious personality wherever he went, a room with Slim in it was always a lively one.
“If you got caught up with Slim, you knew you were there for 20-30 minutes, he loved a chat,” Stuart said.
“He had one of those booming voices you could hear from miles away.
“Sometimes you had to think if you wanted to walk into the room when you knew he was there,” he added with a laugh.
Slim has left his footprint on Surf Life Saving, and his loss will be felt on a grand scale.
“Slim is known pretty much in all clubs across the state, maybe even across the country,” Stuart said.
“He looked after anyone and everyone, words really can’t describe the impact he has had.”
Slim’s funeral is set down for Monday 17 October at the Chapel of Hogbin Drive Crematorium and Memorial Gardens in Coffs Harbour.
Tuesday 11 October 2022