IT'S the end of an era for Tom Ford, who has retired after 46 years of service to the Mt Blowhard Primary School Council.
The Blowhard farmer was awarded for his long service by Minister for Education Jacinta Allan at the Victorian Education Excellence Awards on Friday.
Mr Ford went to primary school at Mt Blowhard and later his children attended, with his last grandchild in the area finishing his primary education there last year.
Mr Ford joined the school council in 1960, and after his children moved on, he remained on the council as a co-opted community member.
Mr Ford is involved with the Blowhard community not only through the school, but many organisations.
He said a small community like Mt Blowhard "expects everybody to pull their weight".
"I'm loyal to the place where I was born, but I like to emphasise just how important primary schools are - it's a foundation you are building," Mr Ford said.
His most memorable moment with the school was its centenary in 1978.
"It was a highlight for the whole district, bringing lots of memories and lots of old pupils together," he said.
"The school nearly closed several times . . . all the surrounding schools closed and then all the pupils came to Blowhard - now it's set forever."
School principal Lynne Devlin said Mr Ford represented a marvellous example of commitment to his local primary school.