FORMER Nationals MP and country Victorian sporting legend Ron Best has been remembered as a champion of, and for, regional Victoria.
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Mr Best passed away in Melbourne on Wednesday morning, aged 71.
Born in Melbourne, Mr Best was a successful businessman and prodigious sporting talent who entered the Victorian Upper House in 1988 as a representative for North Western Province, which included the seats of Bendigo East, Bendigo West, Swan Hill and Mildura.
During a 14-year stint in state politics, Mr Best served as his party's spokesman for Housing, Construction and Small Business until 1990, and was Secretary of the Parliamentary National Party from 1992 to 2002.
His impressive business career saw him work in the hospitality and food services industries, and he was also a highly regarded company director and consultant.
City of Greater Bendigo chief executive officer Craig Niemann said Mr Best served the wider Bendigo community and region well.
"On the football field he played with Golden Square, Sandhurst, Boort and Northern United Football Clubs and was widely acknowledged as being one of the greatest full-forwards and goal kickers in the history of the Bendigo Football Netball League and country Victoria.
"As a politician in the Victorian Parliament his office was based in Bendigo and he always fought hard to better our region and beyond."
"On behalf of the City of Greater Bendigo I offer condolences to his family and friends."
"He was a natural leader, competent and empathetic, he knew everyone and everyone respected him.
"I remember clearly how he took me around Bendigo and North Western Victoria in 2002 when I was campaigning to replace him in the Victorian Parliament's Legislative Council.
"Ron Best was a great Australian.
"He loved Bendigo and always appreciated how good Bendigo was to him."