The Koroit and district community is coming to grips with the passing of one its most iconic characters, Frank "Tuddy" Bowman.
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Mr Bowman, who passed away on Wednesday, lived all of his 75 years in the same house in Southern Cross.
He was such a well-known figure in the small farming hamlet that the road next to his house was named after him, Tuddy's Lane.
While Mr Bowman never married, his nephew Mark Bowman said he was a much-loved figure of his extended family, with his five siblings and their children and grandchildren holding him in the highest esteem.
"Tuddy was very special to all his family, he was a unique individual," Mr Bowman said.
"He was the most caring 75-year-old man going around. Every Christmas he would buy and wrap 35 presents to give to his family and friends.
"He was always dropping around or calling up and making sure everyone was going alright.
"He loved everyone and everyone loved him.
"The family has had so many messages of support and people just saying how much they are going to miss Tuddy."
Like Tuddy, John Gleeson grew up in Southern Cross and was a long-time friend.
Mr Gleeson said his mate was the life of the party.
"He was a great mate, we had a lot of fun," Mr Gleeson.
"He was very quick-witted and loved singing. He did a lot of singing at different places for charity, he was very generous and loved helping people."
For many years, Mr Bowman formed a musical duo with his great friend Tommy Brooks.
The Tommy and Tuddy duo was later joined by Michael Morgan and performed as Tommy, Tuddy and Mick until Mr Brooks' passing in 2018.
The trio were a popular fixture at the annual Koroit Irish Festival.
They were a big drawcard at the festival and were rewarded in 2014 when they were announced as the festival's Artist of the Year.
Mr Bowman was one of the stars of the episode of the ABV TV program Back Roads that screened in 2020 and focused on Koroit. He also played a major role in the history of the Koroit Football Netball Club.
Mr Bowman made a number of senior appearances for the Saints and he also won the Lew Kelly Medal for the fairest and best player in the Hampden league reserves competition. He went on to coach the Koroit midgets alongside his uncle and club legend Jack Keane.
Mr Bowman was also part of the team that held weekly bingo as a major fundraiser for the club for almost three decades.
