A MAN who played a significant role as a farmer, real estate agent, sportsman and bush poet will be remembered during a memorial service at St Andrew's Chapel in Dubbo on Thursday.
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Malcolm Graham Tink died at Lourdes Hospital on February 26, just a few days after his 82nd birthday.
He was the husband of Helen, father and stepfather of Graham, Morris (deceased), Grant, Eleanor and David, and pop of 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Mr Tink is remembered as a resilient hard-working man with a strong sense of community, service and fair play, both on and off the sporting field.
The second child of Stan and Olive Tink came into the world in 1933 at Hopetoun private hospital, where the Dubbo RSL Memorial Club is now situated.
He was raised on family properties near Dubbo and Binnaway and attended All Saints' College at Bathurst.
"At least some of the school fees were paid for by money dad earned rabbit trapping," eldest son Graham said.
"Like many country boys of his generation, there were gaps in Dad's formal education. He had difficulties with reading, spelling, writing and grammar but liked maths, history and geography.
"Dad excelled at cricket, tennis, rugby and athletics. While still at school he represented the Bathurst district in rugby and cricket.
"He was a non-stop tackling elusive running number eight. In cricket he took the new ball and batted in the middle order."
In 1952 Mr Tink was called up for national service. He loved the discipline, sense of duty and most of all the rugby.
"A full-time career in the army would have suited Dad well," Graham said.
"He missed out on going to the Korean War and was discharged after six months. He was to spend another seven years involved with the Army Reserve."
Mr Tink returned to the family farm at Binnaway and by all accounts was quite a footballer.
His days as a star player for the local side ended when he was stretchered off with a badly broken leg.
"The leg was not set right and splayed at the knee," Graham said.
"Dad never played football again and his days as a fast bowler were over."
In 1954 Mr Tink married Violet May Hopkins. They farmed at Binnaway and Rawsonville before moving to Tottenham to manage a sheep station. The family returned to the Dubbo district after purchasing Terra View on Coalbaggie Creek.
"We made our own cricket pitch, hit tennis balls on the woolshed wall and made good use of a set of goal posts," Graham said.
"Cricket had a profoundly positive effect on us. Every Sunday I went to watch dad play for Coalbaggie and there was the wonderful first time he let me listen to the Ashes Test match on the radio.
"Dad was an aggressive batsman. He was proud as punch when he smashed a rapid fire century against Western Star on the riverbank. It was even better the day he scored 100 against Ian Drake's South Dubbo team. Soon enough all three of us went along to play for Coalbaggie or Colts. One of the greatest occasions was when we won the Dawson Cup.
"For our family they were wonderful days but storm clouds were brewing and the bank manager was never too far away. Dad made ends meet with share farming, hay carting, dealing in sheep and contract harvesting."
Mr Tink experienced great difficulties, including the death of his wife and son.
"Out of adversity comes strength," Graham said. "You learn to cherish every moment - that is the Tink family way."
Mr Tink moved onto auctioneering and real estate. He loved the stock and station agent side of the business, working at the saleyards and travelling country areas of NSW buying and selling stock.
In 1983 Mr Tink received a phone call from a woman looking for a place to rent.
"More conversations resulted in a game of tennis and in 1988 dad married Helen," Graham said.
"They were soul mates for 27 years. In 1991 they opened Malcolm Tink Real Estate in Talbragar Street.
"Despite reading difficulties dad developed a passion for writing and performing bush poetry. He travelled the state with a couple of mates going in every competition he could, winning the odd prize and performing in pubs, clubs and retirement homes.
"After the real estate business was sold in 2003 dad engaged in his passion for bowls, poetry and growing vegetables.
"Over the years Dad's health declined. He got to 82 which is about average for an Australian male. And that is exactly how dad saw himself - as a pretty average bloke."