Emerald lost a well respected community member with the passing of Maxwell Muller last month.
Mr Muller dedicated much of his life to the community, mainly through his contribution to the local football club and CFA.
He was involved with the Emerald Junior Football Club for about 10 years, as a trainer, and he also held the role of president for a period of time.
A feature of his involvement there was calling the Emerald Bingo on Thursday nights, which helped raise funds for the club.
He also went to regular meetings for the club and was often there four nights a week pumping up footballs and supporting players.
Mr Muller’s son, Stephen, said his dad was an incredible leader, particularly for kids that struggled to stay focused.
“He could see the best in everyone and bring the best out in everyone. He just had an uncanny knack at doing that.
“His amazing influence, he just seemed to know the right thing to say every time.”
Mr Muller also received his 10 year service medal and was vice captain at the Emerald CFA.
He was a firefighter there during one of the region’s most devastating fire events, Ash Wednesday.
A dedicated community member who looked to bring happiness to youth, Mr Muller also owned and ran the miniature railway, with his wife Christine, at Emerald Lake Park for about two decades.
Stephen said after his father’s passing, numerous old friends reached out to offer their condolences and memories of Mr Muller.
“They said he was a huge influence in all the best ways, there was never a bad word spoken about him which made me very proud,” Stephen said.
“I’m just highly grateful for his upbringing and what he made me…I can’t thank him enough and also the effort that he always put in with his grandchildren.
“He was a very modest man…he was a bloke who was always there but he was a quiet achiever, he used to do a lot of things that were unsung.”
Mr Muller passed away on 25 April, aged 83.
