Two men who died on Saturday in a boating incident off the Tasmania’s North-East coast were “great friends with a love of bowls and fishing”.
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Anthony Benneworth, 67, of Norwood and Anthony Long, 73, of Youngtown, were on a fishing trip at Ansons Bay.
Investigations into the incident are continuing, but is understood the men ended up in the water about 500 metres offshore.
A third man, from Youngtown, who was also on the boat, was able to swim to shore to raise the alarm.
The news sent a shockwave through the community.
Both Mr Benneworth and Mr Long were long-time members of the Trevallyn Bowls and Community Club.
Mr Benneworth, or ‘Benny’, as he was known by friends, was the club’s president, a former Australian cricketer and part of Tasmania’s inaugural Sheffield Shield team.
He was also a Liberal candidate for Bass in 2001 and previously served in the Tasmanian House of Assembly.
Trevallyn Bowls vice president Andrew Baird said their deaths were “completely devastating”.
“It is just a complete shock and very sobering,” he said.
“News like this really brings a sense of reality back into the world.
“I am at a loss.”
Mr Baird said both men had been friends for more than 20 years and regularly went on fishing trips together.
“Benny was just a natural leader,” he said.
“We always refereed to him as the director of the orchestra.”
Tony Long, a past president at the club, was remembered as a “class clown”.
“Tony was just a really funny bloke and a real joker,” Mr Baird said.
“He played a lot of tricks over the years, he was all about having a good time.
“I think they were both having fun and really enjoying their life, right up until the last minute.”
Both men were set to play in next Sunday’s Bowls North division one finals game.
Police and emergency services attended the scene on Saturday.
A second boat was taken out to assist.
Police said the body of one man was found in the water and the second a short time later, closer to shore.
The Advocate