Family, friends and work colleagues paid tribute to Robyn Rodd, 55, who died after colliding with a logging truck while on a steep descent on the Great Alpine Road near Harrietville.

The Jindera mother of three had worked at The Scots School for almost 30 years.

Her son Lachlan Rodd said his mother had always loved sport.

“She’s always been passionate about everything she did and never said no to anything,” Mr Rodd said.

“Skiing was her biggest passion, but she loved her cycling, too, she was preparing to start racing on the road.”

Mrs Rodd discovered a love of skiing at university and represented Australia in the World Student Games in Moscow in 1973 as a swimmer.

She was race secretary of the Australian Ski Federation for 17 years and was selected in the national team in 1987.

In 2001, Mrs Rodd won an Australian Sports Medal for services to skiing.

Scots School principal Heather Norton said Mrs Rodd was humble about her athletic achievements but was an inspiration to students.

In her 29 years at the school, Mrs Rodd had been a geog­raphy teacher and more recently,

library manager.

“She was an incredibly valuable and highly respected member of our staff who we will miss greatly,” Mrs Norton said.

“She had an amazing will and was an inspiration to all students.”

Mrs Rodd was a member of the hockey coaching staff and supporter of the school’s snow sport teams.

“She was incredibly caring, a remarkable woman in and out of the school community,” Mrs Norton said.

“Students, parents and teachers will miss her greatly.

“She was an incredibly accommodating person with this amazing humility.”

Long-time friend Peter Cranage said Mrs Rodd’s name had been synonymous with skiing in the region for “as many years as I can remember”.

A national cross country skiing champion, Mrs Rodd also ranked in the women’s top 10 for the gruelling Kangaroo Hoppet more than 10 times.

“She was very dedicated, and quite inspirational to female cross-country skiers, especially in her later years,” Mr Cranage said.

“She loved long races, she loved being out there for a long time and that translated into her bike riding.

“She was a determined racer and skier and was always pushing herself to achieve.”

Mrs Rodd was also involved with the Albury Swimming Club, competed in triathlons and veterans’ hockey and was a member of the Murray Conservatorium Choir.

Mrs Rodd is survived by husband Richard Rodd, sons Lachlan and Cameron, daughter Nicola, sister Sally Farrell, brother Peter Farrell and mother Deirdre Farrell.

Her brother Peter said she had always loved sport and was “very down to earth and practical.”

“She would get on and do the job, she didn’t beat around the bush,” Mr Farrell said.