Perc Thompson was born at Balmoral in 1928.

Being one of 10 children, Mr Thompson and his wife Shirley – who had 11 siblings – would go on to have 15 children of their own.

Son Graeme Thompson said his father was a community leader.

Perc Thompson worked on the railways for 47 years, beginning at Sunshine in Melbourne before his transfer back to Balmoral in 1946.

Graeme said his father was instrumental in construction of the Balmoral Hall. 

“They built a lot of it from the mill and added bits and pieces as it went on,” he said.

“It was used for quite a number of things in the community – it was very well utilised.”

Graeme said the Balmoral community thrived with workers from the railways.

“He used to help a lot of people have a lot of community connections,’’ he said.

“Workers on the railways came in contact with a lot of local people. 

“He just loved being around people and helping out his family.”

A life member of the Balmoral Football Club, Mr Thompson was also a three-time premiership player and two-time best and fairest winner.

For three years he rode a bicycle from Balmoral to Noradjuha to play tennis before deciding to play at Balmoral.

Thirty-four great-grandchildren and 30 great-great-grandchildren survive Mr Thompson.

Mr Thompson was farewelled in a service at St Mary of the Angels Basilica in Geelong on April 4.