But he rates being named as Nelson Bay's Australia Day ambassador for 2015 as his greatest honour.

"I love Port Stephens and believe it is the most beautiful place on earth but I am also a proud Australian," he said.

"I believe all Australians should be grateful to live in such a great country and that we should all share the duty of protecting our environment for future generations.

"On Australia Day we should all pause for a moment to reflect on how we can enjoy what we have without damaging our landscape and polluting our waters."

A Tweed Heads product, Mr Clarke graduated with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1974 at the University of Western Australia. He was an outstanding sportsman, playing representative rugby league on Lang Park in Brisbane, cricket on the hallowed Sydney Cricket Ground and faced the might of the New Zealand All Blacks on the rugby pitch in Perth.

Mr Clarke moved to Port Stephens in 1975, teaching at the old Nelson Bay High School and regularly partaking in his first sporting love - fishing.

"Fishing is a way of life," he said.

"In sport there is some type of structure, generally an opponent and a result, a score, a winner and a loser. In fishing there are no losers. Everyone wins, the prize being the recreational experience which can be even more valuable if you share that time with someone."

Since retirement Mr Clarke has involved himself in environmental issues and has published five books.

He paid tribute to wife Ella, daughter Jodie and two grandchildren Benaya and Archie.