A Warrnambool mentor has been using lessons learned from his parents to help school students achieve success.
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Eric Gilbert, who is retiring from his position as a Standing Tall mentor after 11 years, said he had tried to bring his parent's wisdom into the program.
"Listen, learn and then make a positive decision - that's what I learnt from my parents," Mr Gilbert said.
"That's what I have tried to flow in to the mentoring program to learn and listen and don't be critical."
Mr Gilbert has been a volunteer mentor with Standing Tall for 11 years since the service began, but felt it was time to let someone else come in and help the students.
"At 80 it's time to step aside," he said.
"At (my age) I'm probably a bit past the communication skills with the young people because they are talking a different language.
"I am used to talking about typewriters and fax machines and they don't know what they are."
Helping mentees to develop confidence and decision making skills has been Mr Gilbert's main focus.
"Part of the mentoring program is to help develop all of the life skills required," he said
"It also allows the student to become more productive at home, to be more confident and able to talk to family members."
Standing Tall chairman Ross Morey said Mr Gilbert would be missed.
"Eric has been involved with Standing Tall since day dot," Mr Morey said.
"This program all comes down to our mentors. Eric has done a fantastic job with all of the students he has worked with, he is the epitome of what all of our mentors stand for."
Standing Tall mentor Sophie O'Keeffe said Mr Gilbert was very supportive when she first started with the program.
"He checked in on me in the first week to make sure things were going OK. It was so nice to feel supported and nice to have his experience to look up to," Ms O'Keeffe said.
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