Well known local businessman Bob Turner died on Saturday.
Bob, 88, has owned Warragul business Gippsland Travel with his wife Jacquey for 37 years, taking over the business in 1988.
He also was a local football hero, playing 22 games with the Melbourne Football Club between 1957 and 1961 and part of the playing group that won three flags in 1957, 1959 and 1960.
He had left the club by the time the side won (the then VFL) premiership in 1964 - but as a long time supporter, returned to the MCG in 2022 to see the Demons unfurl the club's 2021 premiership flag.
In an interview with The Gazette at the time, he described the period he played at Melbourne as the club's "glory days." He recalled the players as part of a big family that supported each other on and off the field, adding to their success.
He continued friendships with many players long after his playing days. AFL legend the late Ron Barassi was best man at Bob's wedding and the late Frank "Bluey" Adams a close friend until his death.
After leaving Melbourne, Bob played with Oakleigh and represented Victoria in the 1964 VFA interstate game taking the tile against Tasmania.
Bob came to Warragul in the mid-1960s on teacher transfer to the then technical school and played a number of seasons with Warragul in the Latrobe Valley league including some as playing coach.
In 1997, Bob was elected as a member of the first Baw Baw Shire Council, representing the Warragul West Ward. He was re-elected unopposed at the 2000 council elections. He served two terms on council and was mayor in 1999-2000.
Bob is survived by his wife Jacquey, his two children Anthony and Caroline and their families including two grandchildren.
A celebration of Bob's life will be held in early March.