That's terrible news to hear about Aussie passing. He was one of the most generous members of our little community and a great influence to new and experienced slingers a like.

His Aussie Pouches were one of the perfect tools in allowing a relatively new member to have some proper equipment in learning our art. His Seatbelt Sling design changed the whole way I looked at slinging and has allowed me to give away countless slings and to teach many folks the joy of a far flung stone.

I remember when he introduced the Seatbelt Sling and how much trouble I was having learning how to make them. Over the course of dozens of PMs and an picture tutorial, with more patience then I deserved, he finally explained it in a way that clicked with me.

He was an asset to our community and will be sorely missed.

My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

Aussie and I joined within a month or so of each other in what seems like the prehistory of the forum.

Amongst his other interests, he shared with me a fascination in the physics of the sling. One of those things that seems so easy until you actually try to explain it, and find it to be more subtle than one would imagine. We talked about it over PM, and I suspect if we had met in person the talk would have been long. I was pleased to read that he had finished his chapter in the Slinger's Guide, When I read it I will be reminded of him again.

In all my interactions with him I found him quiet and thoughtful. His evident respect for others came across so plainly both in his public and private messages. I found him truly a man to be admired.

It seems quite a number got to know him through his personal messages. It's apparent that he enjoyed such interactions greatly, and he enriched our lives with them.

His Aussie pouch and seatbelt sling are both the stuff of legend on this site. Those of us with one of his repurposed pieces of Australian Post Office equipment have a tangible memento to the man, and I regret I never asked him for one!

For those of us past a certain age, to be connected through such a great physical distance is somewhat miraculous. I think we both expected, rather than just hoped, to meet. Sadly that will not be the case, at least in this life.

One of the imperfections of the internet is that we can forget how tenuous the connection actually is. People easily can vanish without leaving any trace.

By a fluke of circumstances Aussie had my e-mail address, and his daughter was kind enough to let me know of his passing in an e-mail last week.

She asked that those who would wish to send a message to the family send it through PM  to me. Naturally I will respect the contents of any such messages absolutely, and will pass them on as received.

It is a great shame that Aussie has gone ahead of us. His generosity has had a huge impact on our sport. I had two pouches from him and they were my first decent slings. He also put in a lot of time as a moderator here during the spam wars. My condolences to his family, I know they have lost a great man.

Yeah, that's a great example-- when scoteeball posted that vid of him slinging fig-8 over the river, it was aussie who went out to find and invite him here. Also a sign of Ludwik's interest in fig-8, which he liked and practised.

  Aussie was a kind, generous, caring person.  He greatly influenced this site and the sport of slinging.  Countless kids in my neighborhood have Aussie pouches.  He was a friend, mentor, and a good example of what we should all aspire to be more like.  We were privileged to have him as a moderator and member.  RIP, Aussie.  Condolences and sympathies to your loved ones.  Thanks for everything, Aussie.  We'll always remember and miss you.

Curious Aardvark wrote on May 28^th, 2013 at 6:14am:


Yes I failed to find this thread and posted another. Thanks Masia for steering me here. You mods do a great job! CA was another to welcome me early on. I will say thanks while you are all still around I just knew there would be more response than I was seeing and this thread is a nice tribute to a good man.

you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid at the resurrection of the just