ROBERT "Bob" Walton OAM, born on January 12, 1942 lived the first seven years of his life on his family farm, south of the Mallee town of Boinka, before moving to Mildura in 1949 with his family.

Mr Walton, the third of five children, was the only son of Henry and Isabella.

He said the early years of his life definitely made an impression.

"I will never forget the early years on our farm in Boi...