“I had no trouble at all deciding who to give the money to,” said Allan Morris who was given the money to donate to his preferred local not-for-profit organisation.

Earlier this year Walcha Vet Supplies proprietor Peter King announced he would use his promotions budget to award a local hero award twice each year with the recipient to decide who in the community would receive the money.

Mr Morris was chosen as the first local hero for his dedication to assisting the Nowendoc community for more than 30 years.

Walcha mayor Eric Noakes was on the judging panel, and he said  Mr Morris was a stand out nomination in a great initiative by Walcha Vet Supplies.

“Out of all the candidates we felt he had done the most for his community over a long period,” he said.

“Mr King said he wanted to thank everyone involved and said he would continue the promotion as long as it had ‘legs’.

“The whole idea is to acknowledge all the quiet achievers that keep all these little community groups going,” he said.

“It is wonderful that we can honour people that have put a lot of unpaid time into their group and we all know how painful the politics can get in any committee. I congratulate Allan on all the work he has put into the Nowendoc Hall and his community.”

Mr Morris said he was humbled to receive the award.

“I would like to thank Peter King and his team for providing this opportunity as it is a huge commitment by them,” he said.

“I’d also like to thank Cheryl Margery for nominating me.”

Mr Morris said he wanted to help the Walcha Support Group with their ongoing support of the community in the current climatic conditions.

“I would also like help the Nowendoc Memorial Hall with the ongoing cost of the newly installed security system,” he said.

“I am just one of the countless volunteers in the Walcha area doing their bit to help.”