Chris Barnett was presented the award at Thursday’s Australia Day ceremony, which saw many of Narromine shire’s volunteers honoured for their contribution.

Nita Cale was also given a special Citizen of the Year award for her contribution to the community.

Western Zone representative rugby league player Zarrin Galea was presented the Junior Sports Award, while the Narromine Turf Club was awarded Community Event of the Year for attracting the Emirates Melbourne Cup Tour to town in August 2016.

Volunteer drivers Roz Reid, Gai Wilson, Barb Sunderland, Julie Davis, Desley Smith and Les Lambert were also honoured with a special achievement award.

Mr Barnett – a long-serving Rotary Club of Narromine member and NSW Rural Fire Service volunteer – was humbled, even embarrassed, to receive the top honour.

He thanked his wife Susan, his friends and his fellow volunteers for supporting him in his efforts.

“I just like to put back in and I think the saying ‘the more you put in the more you get out of it’ stays true,” he said.

“The other thing is I’m a cancer survivor and I’ve been given a second chance and I want to get as much out of it as I can, help others and keep our town … great.”

Australia Day Ambassador Paula Duncan AM said volunteers were the backbone of Australian communities.

“The great thing about volunteering is that you give,” she said.

“And of course the person that’s receiving the gift, whether it’s a ‘hello, how are you’, or recognising the signs of suicide … you could bring back hope.

“Even if someone’s volunteering to help the environment – and I can see what you’re doing in Narromine with regrowth of trees – but what does volunteering do for us?

“It gives us self esteem. It gives us self-worthiness. It gives us a reason to wake up in the morning and, you know what? Most of all it makes sense of what Australia is.”

It was also a very special day for three Narromine residents who became Australian citizens.

Dr Niro Wickramasinghe, Tharushi Marapana and Romesh Marapana have lived in Narromine for more that three years, and said they were thrilled to call Australia home.

“Extremely excited, I never expected something like this and I’m very happy to be around so many people I know,” Dr Wickramasinghe said.

“It’s good to be part of the little town and I feel like I’m doing something for them.”