Uncle’s tribute to fun-loving nephew

TWENTY-three year-old Isaiah Dixon was a hardworking fun-loving young fella who will be remembered for his smile, outgoing nature and his love of fishing and camping.

Isaiah’s uncle John-Paul Dixon (below) said the Savage River worker and childhood friend Thomas Courto, 26, and Bree-Anna Thomas had wanted a fun day out on Monday after coming off shift at the West Coast mine.

“Tom and Isaiah grew up together and Bree-Anna fitted in with them so well and was just a lovely young lady,” Mr Dixon said as his family started to come to terms with the tragedy that unfolded on Monday.

“The boys will be remembered for their smiles and their great natures. They were good, hard-working boys with beautiful hearts.”

Mr Dixon said the families had been stunned by the level of support they had received this week from their mates, the wider Wynyard community and Tasmania as a whole.

“I reckon I cried about 50 times on Tuesday. If a person had a boat it was on the water, if they had a plane it was in the air, if they had boots they were out walking and if they had binoculars they were looking for them,” Mr Dixon said.

“Tasmania really is a beautiful place to live. People have been there the whole time with us. Everyone involved is holding together as best we can. Thomas is still missing so there is a bit to go through yet. We hope a resolution comes soon but we have accepted the possibilities.”