Marklew started his umpiring career in 1988 after playing more than 200 games for various clubs across the Wimmera.

“Maurie Rudolph was the one who got me into umpiring,” he said.

“I got a chance to share a big milestone with him when he brought up his 1000^th game as an umpire several weeks ago.

“I had hoped Maurie would be there to share my 700^th with me but unfortunately circumstances meant it didn’t happen.”

Frank is a life member of the Wimmera Football Umpires Association as well as a former president.

For his 700^th, players from both Noradjuha-Quantong and Jeparit-Rainbow signed a ball and presented it to Frank before forming a guard of honour.

Among Frank’s many career highlights are seven Wimmera league grand finals, five Horsham District league grand finals as well as several interleague matches.

“Probably the standout for me was umpiring a Mallee league grand final with my son Leigh,” Frank said.

He said being a former player had helped him as an umpire.

“Definitely if you have played the game it helps,” he said.

“I always think if you treat players with respect they will hopefully treat you the same same.

“I’ve worked hard to stick to that motto and I think I have a fairly good rapport with the players.”

Frank said the game had changed a great deal in his nearly 30 years umpiring.

“There have been a lot of rule changes and some of them are very hard to interpret at times,” he said.

“I often think the players must find it difficult these days.

“I can see how players get frustrated. Let the players play and pay the obvious is my motto.

“Umpires make mistakes, just the same as the players, but I think it’s important to remember that we don’t make the rules.”

In recent years Frank has taken on a mentoring role with young umpires.

“I like to coach the young umpires,” he said.

“We have a good young group coming through at the moment.

“As an umpire it’s so important to be consistent.”

Frank said he had been extremely fortunate in his career to have the full support of his wife Carolyn and two children Leigh and Aimee.

“I’d also like to thank my fellow umpires for their support. I’d like to think I’ve got a few years left yet,” he said.