Mr Sibson has been a member of the club’s committee for more than 23 years.

He has started many races in the past and in more recent years has started the Women’s Gift.

“I’ve started the Women’s Gift for about nine years now. When the prize money went up to the same as the men’s, it was a bit daunting at the start. I got through it by treating it as another race,” he said.

Mr Sibson will step into the role after the passing of Maurice Campbell in May.

“It is a great honour to be a part of something as significant as starting the Stawell Gift. I am a little nervous, but excited at the same time,” he said.

Mr Sibson will start the main race as well as all the heats leading up to the final and some other races at the event.

Mr Sibson joined the athletic club after a nomination by his father-in-law Geoffrey Stewart and is now a life member.

“Geoff was a member of the club for 40 years before he passed away. The same year I joined I was approached by Murray MacPherson about the possibility of becoming a starter due to illness at the club from a starter at that time,” he said.

“Murray heard I did some starting at little athletics. About three weeks later I was helping start races at Maryborough in a New Years Day meet.”

Mr MacPherson and Mr Campbell mentored Mr Sibson over his 23 years and encouraged his move through the ranks of starters.

“I started as a number three starter, stepped up to number two and now at number one,” he said.

Not only is Mr Sibson the starter of the Stawell Gift, but he is able to start races across the state for Athletics Victoria.

“The club do start about seven other meetings. Our number two and three starters go to more Melbourne meets,” he said.

Mr Sibson’s family are all largely involved with the Stawell Gift.

“I have had both my children as colour kids and now a granddaughter as a colour kid as well,” he said.

Although not “born and bred” in Stawell, Sibson said he was drawn to the Stawell Athletic Club because of the rich history involved.

“There are so many stories about the Gift and runners. I love the history and being part of it is really something special,” he said.

Mr Sibson has plenty of great memories to choose from and said one his favourites was when he was president.

Legends of the event were invited back to Central Park.

“George McNeill was one of the legends wanted to play a round of golf, another passion of mine. I took him out and we had a $20 bet on the round,” he said.

“I still have the signed $20 note which he paid up when he lost by one shot.”

Mr Sibson said over the years he has seen and heard of many changes to the way races were started.

“I believe the race was started at one stage with a shotgun shot into the ground. 

Starters use a real gun which is modified with shells loaded with gunpowder.

Mr Sibson said over the years he has seen and heard of many changes to the way races were started.

“I believe the race was started at one stage with a real shotgun shot into the ground, “ he said.

"That would make any run away from the line.”

Mr Sibson said the 2019 Stawell Gift is fast approaching but one thing stands out in his mind.

“I hope I can do Maurice and Murray proud and really look forward to the next chapter in my Stawell Gift journey,” he said.

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