**Respected Indigenous Elder Alby Clarke Passes Away at 90** Alby Clarke, a prominent Gunditjmara elder and advocate for Indigenous health, died on September 16 at the age of 90. Clarke's journey from poor health to becoming a long-distance runner and cyclist began after a doctor warned him at age 60 that he needed to improve his health or face an early death. Born in Melbourne in 1934, Clarke moved to the Framlingham Aboriginal Reserve near Warrnambool with his family at the age of 10 after the death of his father. He discovered cycling as a child and won local competitions as a teenager. However, by his 60s, he was battling type 2 diabetes and faced serious health risks. Determined to change his life, Clarke quit drinking alcohol and began exercising. "I had to get that big belly off," he told the ABC in 2017. "I had a choice, whether to exercise and do something about it, or die … so I done something about it." Clarke's transformation began with a 6-kilometer circuit around Framlingham. He later became the first Indigenous rider to complete the 275-kilometer Melbourne to Warrnambool Classic bike race in 2001 at age 66. The following year, he cycled 3,000 kilometers across the Nullarbor from Perth to Warrnambool, a journey he dubbed the Ride For Reconciliation, all while wearing a blue outfit adorned with sequins to match his trademark blue hair. In 2005, at age 70, he transitioned to running, completing 347 kilometers in the Cliff Young Ultra Race in Colac. He continued to run until he was 88, finishing his last half-marathon near Warrnambool in 2023. Clarke's dedication to health and advocacy earned him numerous accolades, including a Medal in the Order of Australia for his contributions to Indigenous health and sport, a Victorian Senior of the Year award, and induction onto the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll. At his funeral, his daughter, April Clarke, highlighted her father's resilience and advocacy for Indigenous rights. "Dad exceeded all expectations as an Aboriginal man," she said. "Not only did he survive, but he lived, and not just existed." April spoke about her father's struggles with alcohol and the challenges he faced in transforming his lifestyle. "What you don't hear is how hard that journey was for him," she said. "He told me numerous times how lonely it was to create a change in your life." Moyne Shire Councillor Jordan Lockett attended the funeral and praised Clarke's legacy. "To have that kind of health warning, but then turn [health and fitness] into his life mission is a remarkable story," he said. "He's a national treasure — if anyone is deserving of a statue, then it's this man." Clarke's life and achievements serve as an inspiration for many, illustrating the power of resilience and determination in overcoming health challenges and advocating for equality.