Tributes for Tomoe
Italian ‘brother’ says drowned backpacker ‘living the dream’
TRIBUTES are flowing for Tomoe Ogisu, the Japanese backpacker who tragically drowned at Fingal Head on Wednesday.
The 22-year-old went to the notorious Dreamtime Beach with friends for a swim during the afternoon, but was caught in a rip and perished.
Friends said Mr Tomoe, who was living at Coolangatta and working as a sushimaker at Kingscliff, would be remembered as a fun-loving and adventurous person who was always “joking around”.
An Italian mate, Marc Roncador, who is travelling around Australia, told the Gold Coast Bulletin about his “brother” whom he’d met at Coolangatta.
Mr Roncador said he and his friends were “shocked about this incident” because they had spent “a lot of time” and “had fun” at Fingal Head in recent months.
Mr Ogisu, who was still learning English, was a good swimmer and had been surfing for years around the world, according to Mr Roncador.
“We went there (Coolangatta) for surfing maybe every day and sometimes two or three times when it was his day off from work,” Mr Roncador said. “He enjoyed every new day.
“He was living from day to day, he had no plan.”
The pair met on the southern Gold Coast in recent months and “spent a lot of time together”.
“We had some fun with our family from the Sands hostel in Coolangatta and had an awesome time all together,” Mr Roncador said.
“We were all backpackers living the dream and we spend a lot of days and nights together.
“He was a funny guy and I’m proud to have met him and call him my brother.
“He was always happy and he enjoyed the life in Coolangatta. We enjoyed going surfing together.
“Unfortunately he was taken from us far too soon and my heart is with his family.
“He was one of the most awesome guys that I met in Australia.”
On Facebook, Ricardo Vinhal wrote: “Young Tomoe will never be forgotten. May God bless and protect his soul and also comfort ours. Forever in our hearts.’’
Kevin Stone added: “We will not forget you Tomoe, we will see you again. Blue Skies, Black Death.”
Mr Ogisu had also visited Sydney and Byron Bay during his time in Australia.