Noel Adamson, who recently passed away, aged 87, developed one of the town's first tourism accommodation businesses.

In partnership with his wife Lorraine, Mr Adamson set up the Mungala Holiday flats in 1975, when Port Fairy was still a sleepy fishing village.

Fellow Port Fairy resident and family friend David McLean said Mr Adamson was a significant contributor to Port Fairy's tourist industry.

"Noel was part of the fledgling tourist association in Port Fairy and served time as its president and later became part of the Shipwreck Coast Tourism Board," Mr McLean said.

"Noel understood the importance of Port Fairy's special place in European settlement in Australia and saw tourism as a way of helping to preserve its heritage.

"Noel was a member of the National Trust for nearly 50 years and served as president of the local branch."

Mr Adamson's community service extended to local government, where he served as a councillor on the Port Fairy Borough.

During his time on council, he also had a stint as mayor during the 1980s.

He was also active in community health, serving on the Port Fairy Hospital board where he reached the position of board president.

He was a founding member of the Port Fairy-Belfast Lions Club and served on the board of Port Fairy Consolidated Primary School.

Mr Adamson was a father of four, grandfather to 10 and great-grandfather of two.