IN four years Luke Hercus embraced everything about living in Ocean Grove.
Luke (pictured right with his brother Jimmy) worked hard and played hard because he wanted to make the most of life.
He was fit and loved the outdoors with a passion.
He was also engaged to be married next year, having proposed to Lisa Tout on the steps of the Sydney Opera House back in June.
But last Sunday Luke suddenly collapsed while out walking along the Barwon River with his fiancé and family and sadly could not be revived.
What has shocked many is that Luke was just 27 and extremely fit. As well as being a triathlete he had been planning a half ironman on the Sunday just gone. In fact he had run 20km in training earlier on the morning that he died.
Although his family confirmed that Luke did have a pre-existing heart condition they will not know if that was the cause until the coroner’s reports are finalised.
Luke’s brothers Jimmy and Brad and Lisa travelled up to his birthplace and family home in Bendigo for the funeral on Monday.
Jimmy told the Voice that his brother had embraced the spirit of the Grove since moving here.
“He loved being down the beach walking the dogs which is unfortunately what he was doing when it all happened. He loved the triathlons. He started the triathlons when he moved to Ocean Grove. He ran the Great Ocean Road Marathon just gone in May.
“On Sunday he was supposed to do a half ironman in Shepperton. He was very fit. He had gone for a 20km run a bit earlier that morning but at the time we were doing nothing, just walking along the beach.
“He did have a pre-existing heart condition but we’re not sure at the moment as the coroner is doing an ongoing investigation. I wouldn’t want to pre-empt it.”
Jimmy explained that the Great Ocean Road Marathon was Luke’s first marathon, and the previous year he’d done two half marathons.
“He was always involved in the Anaconda down at Lorne, he done at least one of the legs in the last three years. He was involved in the Mars Challenge, as well as the triathlons, Gatorade and that.”
As a tribute Jimmy, his future father-in-law Geoff Bradley and Chris Lacy completed Luke’s ironman in his honour on Sunday, and did it in good time. Jimmy said that locals and organisers gave them a fantastic reception and great support.
Luke worked for the Bendigo Bank in Geelong and was previously a primary school teacher who put in the hours to retrain for a commerce degree.
Recalling the school time “He really enjoyed outdoor ed,” said Jimmy. “He just loved the outdoors and was very passionate about the outdoors.
“(Luke was) kind generous, fun loving. He left an impression on everyone he met. It was just the kind of person he was.
“Whatever he wanted he would do it.
“He really wanted to do a full ironman. He only got involved in triathlons when he moved to Ocean Grove. That was his home down there. He loved it down there.”
Luke was also involved in setting up a charity called PAN, which stands for People, Animal, Nature, and aims to provide Animal therapy for kids at risk of leaving school. PAN is based in Geelong.
The family asked that donations be made to PAN in lieu of flowers.
Jimmy said they had been inundated with calls from people wanting to express their sadness at Luke’s loss.
Luke and Jimmy also played soccer for Surfside Waves last season, helping them make the division 3 finals.
Waves president Mark Rapa said the club was deeply saddened by the news. “I always found him to be a friendly and approachable and all round nice guy,” said Mark.
“He was a great player in my eyes. He played division 3s but I think he could easily have played 1s. I think he was happy just playing. He was a great team person. He really will be sorely missed.”
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