And if you’ve ever talked to him, you would know he also holds a fair dinkum attitude.

For the past 40 years Mr Elston has been working tirelessly for the Wodonga community, through the Rotary Club of Wodonga Central and the Salvation Army.

He has also volunteered his time to organise the senior citizens’ Christmas luncheon and the Mother’s Day Classic. 

But Mr Elston is humble and does not volunteer in the community for recognition, which was why he originally rejected the Australia Day Citizen of the Year award. 

“I was pretty bewildered when I found out I was going to receive the award,” he said.

“I was a bit staggered and said I was not prepared to take the award because there were hundreds and thousands of people out there doing what I do.”

After he was talked into it by his family, Mr Elston accepted the prize and said it was a great honour. 

“I don’t consider my volunteering service any more of a contribution than anybody else’s,” he said.

“When I look at past recipients like Jean Whitla, Eddie Kneebone and Geoff Smith I feel humble to be considered in their company.

“It’s only natural to give back the help my family and I received when we got to Wodonga in 1975.”

When he reached the stage at yesterday’s Australia Day celebrations at Les Stone Park, acknowledged by the crowd of about 1000 people, mayor Rod Wangman asked him if he was tired as a result of all the work he had done.

This year Mr Elston will be also be the president of the Rotary Club of Wodonga Central.

The Lions Club of Wodonga was named the Community Organisation of the Year and in the 50 years since it was established in 1965 it has increased its regular membership from 18 to 34 people.

Almost 250 people have dedicated their time to the Lions Club as members during the five decades.

The club founded the Border Bike Fest motorbike show and shine, which has raised more than $70,000 for Border charities since 2008, and it has also been involved in running the Good Friday Royal Children’s Hospital Appeal in Wodonga for the past 40 years. 

Photos

Albury

Greater Hume

Howlong

Kiewa/Tangambalanga

Wodonga

Wangaratta