Basil Ashman was born and bred in Eaglehawk, and was a devout family man with an uncanny ability to excel at almost anything he turned his hand to. He died on Friday.

He was the youngest player to captain coach his beloved Eaglehawk to the Bendigo Football Netball League premiership in 1957, at the age of 25, and was also part of the 'Borough's 1953 premiership team.

He was honoured with a life membership of the league years later, and was inducted into the BFL hall of fame, and was named vice-captain of Eaglehawk's team of the century.

Mr Ashman was also a gifted cricketer and golfer.

Life-long friend Robert Cook said Mr Ashman was also a talented lawn bowler, and added, the Bendigo East Bowling Club would forever owe Mr Ashman for his work to secure new kitchen facilities at the club.

Mr Ashman was an extremely successful business identity. He was managing director of Ashman's menswear and dry cleaning service.

"As a compassionate business man he looked after the extended family of the Ashman clan, and was a very generous and community-minded individual who will be deeply missed," Mr Cook said.

"A leading light in the retail trailers association of the time, Basil was also instrumental in the establishment of the multi-storey car park and the Hargreaves Street mall.

"The car park was long overdue and the mall was an outstanding success for the central business district traders."

Mr Ashman continued to be involved in sport and the community as a foundation member of the Bendigo Sports Star of the Year awards.

"These awards are the longest running awards of their type in Australia, thanks to the efforts of people like Basil Ashman who never failed to lose sight of the value of community, and the efforts of others," Mr Cook said.

It was Basil Ashman who initiated the Hall of Fame as part of the Bendigo Sport Star awards, and he remained a member of the Sports Star committee for more than 50 years.

In 2016, he was recognised for his own sporting achievements and service when he was named the recipient of the Faith Leech Inspiration Award as part of the Sports Star gala awards night.

Mr Ashman was a director of the Bendigo Football League under the leadership of Dick Turner - the first independent football league established in Victoria, and well before the VFL.

"Basil continued to be involved in other sports and his efforts saw him honoured with an Australian Centenary community award.

"His contribution through sport and business in Bendigo was simply outstanding," Mr Cook said.

Mr Ashman is survived by his loving wife Karla and his two daughters Kaye Tomlinson and Meg.

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