REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Thursday, September 2, 2005

EVEN his old business partner, the sun, seemed to go into mourning for Al Baldwin.

As the Gold Coast woke up to an uncharacteristically overcast day, it learned that Al, known throughout the world as the Suntan Man, had died at his Surfers Paradise home, aged 74.

Al succumbed to lymphatic

cancer. He had shared a joke and a scotch with his long-time mate Sue Bowen, hours before he died.

Al’s wishes were for “no funeral”, said Ms Bowen. Instead, he was cremated. His ashes were scattered over Surfers Paradise beach

Friends and family also planned to lobby the Gold Coast City Council to have a Surfers Paradise street named after him.

After moving to the Gold Coast from Sydney 33 years earlier, Al became a legendary

figure on Surfers Paradise beach, spraying suntan oil on many thousands of beachgoers each summer.

He was also known by family and friends as a terrific bloke, a quintessential Aussie who loved a bet, a beer and a laugh and was always appreciative of the opposite sex.

Acting Mayor Jan Grew said the Gold Coast had truly lost a remarkable character.

“It is a very sad day for the Coast,” she said.