Earlier this month, Kevin Bye reached a milestone not many people would ever dream of achieving and is most likely never going to be matched.
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On January 7, the 85-year-old Nhill resident marked 60 years with the local bowls club.
The life member and former president, secretary and general committee member celebrated the day by holding a friendly tournament, organized and paid for by the man of the hour.
"It was my way of giving back to the club that has given so much to me over the years," he said.
My Bye first took part in the sport as a 25-year-old in 1961, after some encouragement from his father.
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"I was playing cricket at the time, which in those days was a lot of two-day matches in the heat; it wasn't much fun," he said.
"My father, who was a member of the Nhill Bowls Club at the time, said I should give bowls a try."
In no time Mr Bye swapped his whites for woods and took up competition bowls, winning the B-grade singles championship and the 100-up in 1963-64.
"Some of the older members protested my win," he said.
"They felt I was too young to win the championship and so I was made to play B-grade again.
"So I won the championship again in 1964-65."
In 1967, My Bye won his first club championship at the age of 31.
He would win five singles and 11 pair club championships and more than 30 club, group and association championships with the Nhill Bowls Club.
In 1969, the young maverick won the Wimmera Bowls Association championship, which caught several people's eye.
"I was lucky enough to have a trial with the Footscray City Bowls club in 1972."
Mr Bye later went on to take out the singles state championship for the Wimmera region in 1983.
Overall he would win four club WBA championships and a state fours championship.
Away from the rink, Mr Bye was an enthusiastic volunteer, joining the selection committee in 1983.
He held president's positions for five years, secretary for 17, and general committee for 45 years.
My Bye was also the Wimmera Bowls Association president from 2005-07.
He would gain his national coaching accreditation and coach across the Wimmera for 28 years and umpired for 25 years.
Despite being a teetotaler, he was the liquor licensee of the club for more than 30 years.
"I've never missed an AGM, opening or closing day," he said.
"In 2006, I was given a life membership to the Nhill Bowls Club, which was an absolute honour."
In 2012, Mr Bye was bestowed with the 'Outstanding Services award' by Bowls Victoria vice president John Fisher OAM.
Despite health issues, including a kidney cancer operation, My Bye is still found at the club every Saturday afternoon.
"I just love bowls. It has been a fantastic part of my life," he said.
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