Mr Coltman has been involved with the college for more than 75 years.

He started school there in 1940 and has been a council member and chairman, and director and chairman of the college foundation.

His contribution was acknowledged on Friday when the college named a lecture theatre the 'Barrie C Coltman Theatre'.

"I feel very humble to be honoured but you do what you have to do and get on with it," Mr Coltman said.

"Four generations of Coltmans from the last 100 years attended school (at Clarendon) and I think that's an accomplishment. I believe this lecture theatre is an acknowledgment  of that involvement."

Mr Coltman said one of his major contributions was helping to create the college foundation.

He said one memory he had of the college was when it became a co-educational school.

“I think a co-ed school is a much more natural scene and the way of the future,” he said.

The Coltman tradition has continued with Mr Coltman’s children and grandchildren all attending Ballarat Clarendon College. His son Steven is on the board and chairman of the foundation.

After finishing school, Mr Coltman went onto work at his family business W F Coltman (Mitre 10).