General News
1 October, 2025
Stories of a century told with a smile
THERE’S a glint in the eyes, a grin and infectious smile ... the man known as Boort’s official bugler for generations and builder of countless homes in the district is telling stories. Every one of them true, stories accumulated in a life that...
THERE’S a glint in the eyes, a grin and infectious smile ... the man known as Boort’s official bugler for generations and builder of countless homes in the district is telling stories.
Every one of them true, stories accumulated in a life that for Alan Streader now spans more than 100 years.
Listening on Saturday were generations of his family and friends who gathered to help the Loddon Shire’s newest centenarian celebrate a great life being part of his community.
“How lucky are we – blessed with the best ... not that many families get to celebrate such an occasion with their Super Hero Dad, Grandad, Great Grandad and friend,” were words constantly used by family.
Son Kevin said Alan had been an amazing positive role model and “an inspiration to us all”.
“A beacon for us to follow and we cannot thank him enough for sharing his guidance, knowledge and love.”
Alan himself had a quick-witted answer when asked about his life story: “How long is your piece of string --- as long as my 100 years of stories.”
Born to Edgar and Olive Streader, Alan has lived all his life in Boort and worked in the family business E. Streader and Sons. And as family says, he regularly points out many of the long standing homes in and around Boort that were either built or renovated by the Streader team.
It is as the official bugler for RSL commemorations that Alan is revered in the community. He had his first lesson on the cornet as a nine-year-old from the legendary Bob McCaskill, of Bendigo, a champion brass band conductor and footballer for Richmond and later coach of North Melbourne and Hawthorn.
McCaskill started bands in many country communities around central Victoriaafter his return from World War One.
“I joined because I was very keen.Started playing the euphonium thatproduces beautiful rich notes and thenswitched to the cornet when the bandneeded a solo cornet player,” he
said. “Over the years we had brassbands at three different times inBoort. The last once finished inthe 1970s ... like everything, itfaded away.”
Alan was also noted in youngerdays as a key member of the localChurch of Christ choir.
This year on Anzac Day, Alanbecame an online sensation whena Loddon Herald video of his rendition of the Last Post was viewedby more than 100,000 people.
The spritely centenarian thinkshe will still have the puff to soundthe evocative bugle call again nextApril.
As local RSL sub-branch presidentPaul Haw says, Alan’s renditions“put a tear in our eyes."