Yesterday, applause filled The Cube as Wod-onga councillor Eric Kerr announced Barry and Lorraine Jackson as neighbours of the year.

“It’s embarrassing,” Mr Jackson said.

“We don’t do anything more than anyone else.”

Neighbours Bill Van De Velde and Allan Mackie nominated the former Wodonga High School principal and his wife.

“They are really good at organising and getting people behind projects,” Mr Mackie said.

“As soon as we met them they took us under their wing.

“My wife is crook and Lorraine calls in and has coffee with her and when I wanted to get into golf Barry invited me to play.”

Mr and Mrs Jackson spend time collecting mail, mowing lawns, walking dogs and watering gardens.

“They do the same for us when we go away,” he said.

“It’s not a one-way street.”

Mrs Jackson said they got a lot of pleasure out of helping people and it gave them an opportunity to develop friendships.

Mr Jackson said being a good neighbour meant more then just giving people a nod.

“You should have a chat and abuse the ones who barrack for Carlton,” he joked.

Cr Kerr said they received 18 nominations but Mr and Mrs Jackson were a symbol of what the award represented.

“They are passionate, humble and wouldn’t give helping out a second thought,” he said.

“They also engage in friendly banter.”