WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised the following story contains the name of a person who has died.
Alby Clarke, a respected Gunditjmara Elder known for his tireless advocacy through sport, has been remembered for a life defined by resilience, transformation and determination.
Mr Clarke entered the Dreamtime on 16 September 2025, aged 90.
Born in Melbourne in 1934, he moved to the Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve near Warrnambool with his family after his father's death when he was 10.
An active child, he cycled to collect supplies and later joined a travelling boxing troupe, competing at country shows across Victoria and New South Wales.
In his '60s, Mr Clarke faced a serious health warning after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
Determined to change his future, he gave up alcohol, began exercising and set himself a new mission - to use sport to advocate for Indigenous health and reconciliation.
"I had a choice, whether to exercise and do something about it, or die ... so I done something about it," he told the ABC in 2017.
"I had to get that big belly off."
What started with short bike rides around Framlingham soon became thousands of kilometres of endurance events.
In 2001, aged 66, Mr Clarke became the first Indigenous cyclist to complete the 275-kilometre Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic.
He followed it with a 3,000-kilometre Ride for Reconciliation across the Nullarbor from Perth to Warrnambool, dressed in sequins and his trademark blue hair.
He later traded his bike for running shoes, competing in the 347-kilometre Cliff Young Ultra Race in 2005 at 70.
At 75, he ran two ultramarathons to raise money for diabetes awareness and promote youth education, and at 80 he marked his birthday with a marathon from Warrnambool to Framlingham Cemetery and back.
He continued running until 2023, completing a half-marathon at 88.
Mr Clarke's achievements earned him a Victorian Senior of the Year award, induction into the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll, and a Medal of the Order of Australia for contributions to health and sport.
At his funeral in Warrnambool, his daughter April Clarke reflected on how her father's strength extended beyond his sporting accomplishments.
"Dad exceeded all expectations as an Aboriginal man," she said.
"He was advocating for our people to be seen, to be celebrated, to be equal in their own country."
She spoke of the challenges he faced in changing his life.
"He told me numerous times how lonely it was to create a change in your life ... but you can do it. So he rode and ran to freedom."
Moyne Shire Councillor Jordan Lockett described Mr Clarke as "a national treasure", adding "to have that kind of health warning, but then turn health and fitness into his life mission is a remarkable story."
Original reporting by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation
