Known as an “all time gentleman and great guy”, Lions Club of Beachport Rivoli Bay’s Reg Hamilton (pictured) is the definition of determination and grit.

The club’s publicity officer David Snook was full of praise for Mr Hamilton, 73 and his quiet determination.

“At a recent working bee to build a new fence around some of the perimeter of the playground, Reg was not happy with the paint work on the rails,” Mr Snook said.

“He took it upon himself to add the finishing touches with the paint tin between his legs and paint brush in hand while seated on his gopher.

“What is remarkable about this gentleman is the fact that he suffers with Motor Neurone disease which affects his legs and walking is quite difficult without the use of the gopher or a walking stick.

“He gets on with the task in hand without any complaints and quite often comes up with a funny quip at the expense of some of his Lions mates.

“Reg was born to work like his kelpie dog Junior. Now retired, Reg Hamilton was a former employee of Kimberly-Clark paper mill at Tantanoola and on the weekends he would work on farms as a lamb marking and mulesing contractor.

“I also heard a rumour that he also worked as a bar man at the hotel and has written the odd poem or two.”