Earle presents the medal to the winner each year and will again be part of the festivities in 2018.

He said it was an honour to be involved and the historic moment each year is not lost on him.

“I cannot think of another athletic organisation that has achieved what the Stawell Athletic Club has achieved in over 130 years,” he said.

“Handicap running is exciting and gives all competitors a chance of success and to think that a regional town of now 7000 people and its surrounding rural populations has been able to sustain such an event since 1878 is a remarkable achievement.

“I believe that Stawell as an entity deserves to be honoured in the Australia Day Honours List – if there is a suitable category.”

Earle enjoys the surrounds and said a lot of people deserve credit for the effort put in to maintaining Central Park.

“Central Park is a public asset that is outstanding in its beauty and historical features – the grandstand, beautifully kept gardens, the spectacular entrance gates and the monuments to past champions,” he said. “Many visitors to Stawell visit Central Park year round to see the location of this world famous event and to see the features that they had previously only seen on T.V. over many years.

“The people of Stawell have a rich heritage to enjoy and need to look after it for future generations.”

Earle said it was great to see young children get excited for the weekend, just as he did when he was the same age.

“As a youngster, the approach of Easter was an exciting time for us,” he said.

“Young people in the town become involved in the activities associated with the Gift such as selling newspapers and magazines in the shopfronts of the Main Street, becoming block boys/girls, colour boys/girls and selling programs. Volunteers play a crucial role in the success of the Gift and it provides a wonderful opportunity for the people of Stawell to gain an invaluable experience.”