By Kerri-Anne Mesner
STUDENTS from Taylors Lakes College celebrating the end of their year 12 studies have had an emotional upheaval as one of their classmates died after a drowning incident last week.
Michael Baltatzis, an 18-year-old VCE student, was believed to have been under water for five minutes after being caught in a rift at Blairgowrie on 2 December.
Taylors Lakes principal Geoff Pell said the school community was deeply saddened by the tragic loss.
“Michael was a bright student who had recently completed his VCE,” Mr Pell said.
“He intended to follow his passion for computers with tertiary studies in IT.”
Michael was celebrating the end of his high school studies at a beach in Blairgowrie with two other young men and four young women when he entered the water with another of the men about 8.30pm.
A police spokeswoman said it appeared the pair became caught in a rip and had trouble returning to shore.
Michael’s friend was able to raise the alarm after he reached the beach.
The police spokeswoman said the other man in the group swam to try to help Michael, locating him under water and dragging him to the beach.
When police from Rye and Rosebud arrived, Michael was unconscious and not breathing.
Police gave CPR and mouth to mouth resuscitation for 20 mins until ambulance officers arrived.
Michael was flown to the Alfred Hospital in a serious but stable condition, but died the following morning.
“Michael was a gentle, well mannered and respectful person towards his peers and his teachers,” Mr Pell said.
“He was always happy and cheerful.”
He said the school community’s thoughts went out to Michael’s family.
“Any incident such as this has a very significant impact on our whole school community,” Mr Pell said.
“Counselling support has been offered to Michael’s friends and others in any way affected by the tragedy.”
