Australia's lifesaving community is preparing to farewell a Victorian father and son who lost their lives during an Easter Sunday rescue.
Life savers across the country are planning to wear red on Friday in tribute to dairy farmers Ross "Po" Powell, 71, and Andrew Powell, 32, for whom there will be a funeral in their close-knit community of Timboon.
The pair were among three rescuers who went to save a male tourist, struggling after wading in dangerous waters at the mouth of the Sherbrook River at Port Campbell.
Their rescue boat flipped in two-metre swells and while the 30-year-old tourist and fellow rescuer, Phil Younis, were winched to safety, the father-son pair couldn't be saved.
"To read so many beautiful messages of support has touched our hearts and we thank you," Port Campbell Surf Life Club President Scott McKenzie said in a message posted online.
"We know you're all feeling the loss with us, and it gives us and the families involved, strength."
There will be a guard of honour along Bailey Street from the hall and Powell family members are expected speak after the service at 3pm.
A donations page has been set up to help the family and Mr Younis, who was hospitalised in a serious condition after the rescue.
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