With a life-long love of fishing, his work in the lure making industry dates back to when he was a child crafting milk bottle caps to snare his fish.

It was a passion that grew and has just seen him become the first person welcomed into the lure making industry’s hall of fame.

“Bloody oath - I’m proud to get the award, it’s a once in a lifetime thing,” Mr McFeeters said.

After moving around as a child between Orange, Stanthorpe, Caboolture, and Moree among other places, it wasn’t until 1958 that Trevor came to Tenterfield.

He attended Sir Henry Parkes Memorial Public School as well as Tenterfield High School and after completing his schooling, moved around a little more before settling back in Tenterfield.

In his younger days, he worked on a farm belonging to George and Phyllis Manser, worked for a local builder, had a job at the post office and Ross’ Hardware and says kids worked hard in those days.

“I had plenty of different jobs, it’s what you did then. You went out and got a job, you didn’t just sit around,” he said.

“There are plenty of jobs around if you look.”

He travelled south for work too. He was employed on prawn trawlers in Ballina and a pub in Sydney before coming back and taking up a position at the Commercial Hotel where he worked for about 20 years.

“It’s a shame it’s going to cost so much to build it up now. I enjoyed my time there,” he said.

“I can remember when we would leave $60,000 sitting under the counter, you couldn’t do that now.”

Mr McFeeters worked in the meatworks and as a tally clerk for the council too, as well as enjoying metal and woodwork, but his passion has always been fishing and lure making.

He has four children - three boys and a girl.

In 1987, he was an apprentice alongside another iconic Tenterfield lure maker - Peter Newell - but went on to create his own enterprise.

Friends of Mr McFeeters, Debbie and Brian Dare, said the recognition he had received had been greatly deserved.

“It’s a real sign of appreciation for him, I’m sure we’ll see others from Tenterfield recognised as well,” Mrs Dare said.

“Tenterfield is a real hub for lure making.

“A lot of collectors still appreciate the lures Trevor created.”

The Aussie 200 cod lure and the Tenterfield Dart became iconic in the fishing industry and are still well known nationwide.

Mrs Dare said she accepted the award on behalf of Trevor at this year’s Australian Lure Expo at Fernvale.

“They want to recognise the people who have contributed,” she said.

“I think it came as a surprise for him.”

Mrs Dare says the old Tenterfield lures have made a full revival and now fetched a tidy sum.

“The original ones depending on their condition can cost around $150 or more,” she said.

“My husband caught 22 cod over the last two years using one of them.”

There have been a number of keen fishers and lure makers develop their talents in Tenterfield and Mr McFeeters has always been generous in sharing his knowledge.

“He’s given guidance to a lot of locals,” Mrs Dare said.

Trevor opened his own shop in town in 1998 but closed it in 2002 due to poor health.

“I can’t do it anymore, a stroke stopped me,” Mr McFeeters said. “I’m disappointed I can’t do it anymore.”

His hall of fame recognition came from a nomination process that included fishing magazine editors selecting the recipient. 

While he is the first in Australia to receive the award he is humble in his victory.

“There’s no doubt there are others who deserve them [awards] too,” Mr McFeeters said.

In all his years out on the lakes, dams and rivers of the country he has clocked up a range of good memories with some more memorable than others.

“The time I caught a 48 pound cod at Glenlyon Dam is a favourite moment,” he said.