The former veterinarian gave a 10-minute valedictory speech to the Legislative Assembly as it sat for the last time before the November 29 election.

After reflecting on his highlights and lowlights and thanking family, colleagues and staff, Dr Sykes signed off with Fenech’s signature line.

“Finally, in the words of the great fighter but not so great orator, Jeff Fenech, ‘I love youse all’,” he said.

He started his speech by comparing his farming, veterinary and political personas.

“I am a farmer by love, a veterinarian by training and a politician by an error of judgment,” Dr Sykes said.

“But having made that error of judgment, I have given it my best shot.”

Dr Sykes said the highlight of his political career was stopping the north-south water pipeline.

“The proposed construction of the north–south pipeline to take water from the severely drought-affected northern Victoria to meet Melbourne’s water needs enraged country people,” he said.

“The election of our government and the plugging of the pipe was the most significant event in my 12 years in parliament.

“It is a credit to many ordinary people who took up the fight, but there were two extraordinary ordinary people — Jan Beer and Chris Harrison, otherwise known as Plugger.”

Dr Sykes said he was frustrated he could not stop Lake Mokoan being drained and emerging as the Winton Wetlands.

The father of three also told of enduring three large fires, including Black Saturday, as well as several floods.

He plans to use retirement to spend more time with family and travel to developing countries with his wife Sally, who he described as “a very tolerant lady”.

“For those who have been to other places, the first thing you realise is that there is no place like home,” Dr Sykes said.

“The second thing is that you recalibrate the meaning of life, because those in other countries have nothing but they share everything.

“You need to think about that.”