It's fair to say that the rural town of 85 properties, just off the Western Freeway east of Ballarat, wouldn't even register a blip on the radar to most had it not been for the former St Kilda captain and Richmond coach.

On Tuesday, locals gathered to remember the man who meant so much to them that the football club named a special pavilion in his honour in 2013.

Bungaree Football Netball Club committee member Darren Rix said Frawley will forever live on as an inspiration to future generations of footballers.

RELATED

"We are eternally proud of what he's been able to achieve in his lifetime," Mr Rix said. "You'd probably never think that a boy from Bungaree would get anywhere near what he achieved.

"He's always overcome obstacles to get where he got, people said he couldn't do it, but he did it and his contribution to football has been massive.

"He's done it all, it's unbelievable what he's achieved and he's always done what he can for us too. He'd speak at functions, he'd come and visit whenever he can.

"We're all in a state of shock, What can you do? What can you say? We all just have to support the family as best we can.

"His name will stay there as a permanent reminder of what Danny's done what you can achieve in life."

Jayson Frawley said one of his most precious memories was the support Danny and his father Brian gave to him when he lost his own father at 14.

"I lost my father when I was pretty young and mum had the four kids to bring up on her own and I remember Brian and Danny they would provide me with footy boots when I was a junior.

"He never made a big deal about it, but it showed exactly what he and his father were like. If there was someone who needed a hand or were struggling they were always there to help out."

Tony Trigg said his friend was always one of the first people to help out the club.

"I didn't play with him, but I knew as a junior growing up he was always there to help us out," he said.

"He'd always come down to coaches nights, to training and was always the first guy here and helped us win finals along the way

"He always remembered my name, even if we'd only met briefly, just a great bloke who never forgot where he came from.

Townspeople also expressed their shock.

Bernie Toohey said everybody in the district was proud of Danny Frawley.

"He's a terrific fella, a ripper bloke," he said.

"He added to the fame of the district, Spud Frawley did.

"The Frawley's are known right throughout the region. They are very well known and respected in the district.

"You only have to go up to the football ground to know what sort of legacy he's left. No one in this district would have a bad word to say about Danny Frawley."

Bungaree Primary School lowered its Australian flag to half mast in respect

Principal Catherine Barnes said the small school community of 13 students had come together all in a circle to talk about what Frawley meant to the community.

"There's three key hubs in the community, the football club, the shop and the school," she said.

"We've all come together and you can feel the grief around town this morning.

"It's just a tragedy. We've spoken about it with the kids this morning, we had a whole school circle where questions were asked, to do a respectful tribute and given the kids an opportunity to talk about.

"Bungaree is known for spuds and Spud and that tradition will continue on as we support each other."