There has been an outpouring of tributes following the news that athletics coaching doyen Wally Warner has retired.
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The comments section of an article announcing Warner's retirement, posted on the Leader's Facebook on Thursday, underscored the profound positive effect he has had on many people.
Terms such as "legend", "champion" and "great gentleman" summed up the response to the conclusion of the octogenarian's 50-plus-year career.
One of the loveliest people to walk the earth.
- Kristin Dunnill
"One of the loveliest people to walk the earth," wrote Kristin Dunnill.
Graham Carter said the humble coaching master was "a Tamworth icon", while Guy Watts called for an oval to be named after him.
"What a great human being!!" wrote Glenn Williams. "Wally coached forever - never asking for a cent. He didn't just coach running - he showed the kids how to be a good person. It is a pleasure to know Wally. He is truly a giver!!!"
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Cheryl Brown called Warner "truly amazing and an absolute legend".
She continued: "I personally can't thank you enough for what you have done for my family. Your caring nature and inspiration will forever be remembered. Enjoy your retirement."
Matt Connie thanked Warner for taking "our daughter so far". While Sare Bear Mac said: "You have helped more people than we will ever know! Legendary. Australian of the Year."
This week Warner told the Leader that health issues meant he could no longer fulfil his calling.
"It was very hard to give it away, very hard to give it away ... Missed it heaps," he said, adding that he "never had one disturbance, one argument with a child in all those years" he coached.
"I never ever looked at the Black Caviars," he said. "If I had the best runner there and a child that's just come in wanting to learn to run, they get the same training as the best runner there."
