WHEN Colin Marchment talks about his father - he gets emotional.
Both fine sportsman of the St Arnaud area, all he wants is to be like the man who came before him.
And ask anyone who has known Mr Marchment in his now 90 years of life, because they would say he has become that and so much more.
“We couldn’t be more proud of him,” daughter Colleen said.
After growing up on a farm in Stuart Mill, Mr Marchment says his future was set from a young age, so schooling wasn’t the biggest priority.
“I just went to muck around honestly,” he said.
“Dad wanted me back home on the farm, so it was just a formality.”
While his acres were worked over the years, he would eventually end up in a career as a shearer, travelling to the western district for months on end for work.
He would buy out his brother and move to Carapooee to farm in the 1960s.
Mr Marchment also spent time working as a farm hand for other properties as well as time at Baristoc.
“You could say I kept myself busy,” he said.
He and wife Ailsa bought a caravan in the early 2000s to take a few trips around the country before settling in St Arnaud.
But sport was always a sanctuary for him, with time playing football and bowls over the years.
“Dad played 16 seasons with St Arnaud, plus a few for Moonambel and was the reserves best and fairest in 1957,” Colleen said. “He has a passion for sport, which I think all of us kids and grand kids have had passed down to us.”
Mr Marchment said he remembers playing in the winning 1958 grand final.
“We were the underdogs, but we won,” he said.
“There’s probably a lot I could say about how I played, but it wouldn’t sound good.”
Mr Marchment also began playing bowls in the 1970s, has spent time playing away in Mildura and also competed in the State Men’s Fours in Melbourne.
“I thought I would have to give up when my arms started going, but I ended up getting what I call my ‘cheat stick’, so I still play today,” he said.
And while he may not be able to take to the footy field anymore, that doesn’t stop him pulling up a seat at Lord Nelson Park. “I always go to every home game, I still love it,” he said.
“I have kids and grandkids that play footy, hockey and I love watching them.
“Sport was my life and I like that I can share that still.”
And his secret to making it to 90? “Work hard and keep fit.”
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