Mr Forbes, who died in March last year, donated about 2000 items to the museum from his personal collection and a close friendship with Rochester Lions Club’s Bob Knight led to the establishment of the museum.
Several of the athletes whose lives he touched in his 22 years as the national promotions manager for Puma Australia were at the Echuca Regional Health charity golf day and sportsman’s night at Rich River Golf Club last week.
In particular, Australian cricket icon Merv Hughes and Hawthorn goalkicking great Jason Dunstall — both celebrity golfers at the fundraising event — were close to Forbes.
Mr Forbes, who lived at Mitiamo, used to do sportsmen’s nights and worked for 3BO at Bendigo.
Mr Knight said six of the Lions Club members were at the dinner, where tribute was paid to Mr Forbes.
The sports museum boasts a Merv Hughes Test sweater and a cricket helmet from the fast bowler’s playing days.
There are also photos of Dunstall on show.
Mr Forbes suffered from bowel cancer and Parkinson’s disease.
The eventual launch of the museum came out of a fear that once he died his wife would throw out his collection of sporting memorabilia.
“The museum would have been at Bendigo, but they knocked him back because they had nowhere to put it,” Mr Knight said.
“He didn’t want to leave it for Faye (his wife) to get rid of. One time he went home and there was a skip full of his stuff there, which he had to unpack.”
An invitation from Mr Knight to establish the museum at Rochester led to Rochester Lions taking it on.
“We had a pop-up shop for a while, before the building where we were, in the Shamrock, was sold.
“We were lucky enough to get the railway station and then spent 600 hours to get it up to scratch.
“We leave the bulk of his best items on display all the time.
“Deanne Armstrong approached us about being involved in the night last week, which is where we caught up with Jason Dunstall and Merv Hughes.
“Neither of them have been to the museum, but have promised they will.”
He said the pair had enormous respect for Mr Forbes and he noticed the attention they gave during the evening’s salute to Mr Forbes.
“They both sat up straight and turned their chairs. He was a wonderful man, he gave to everyone,” Mr Knight said.
And Mr Knight gave a hint to the future, as Mr Forbes’ favourite sportsman of all time was former Australian wicket keeper Adam Gilchrist.
“We haven’t been able to get him here yet because he is so busy, but that will continue to be our goal,” Mr Knight said.
