![Ron Montgomery Ron Montgomery](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/9uPv5Hw5fHgJxKHJiUjqfy/2e4671ef-6ccf-40cd-9aa1-336611730633.jpg/r0_0_3456_5191_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Ron Montgomery couldn't understand why his wife, Michelle, insisted he dress up in a plain shirt and tie to the Ovens and Murray Morris Medal on Monday night until his name was called for the volunteer of the year award.
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But he was thankful she stopped him from wearing a casual chequered shirt once he took to the stage to receive the gong.
It was an emotional acceptance speech for Mr Montgomery who said his love for the league and the standard of footy is what kept him around for more than 20 years.
“It's a great honour and a recognition of the small amount you do,” he said.
“It really shocked me to win.
“I just love the O and M, we moved here for the job.”
It's a great honour and a recognition of the small amount you do. It really shocked me to win. I just love the O and M.
- Ron Montgomery
He said he wasn't usually an emotional person but his 15-year friendship with Peter Bruhn, who the award is named after, and also the recognition were part of the reason why he was so overwhelmed.
As he accepted the plaque, he reflected on one of his fond memories with the late Mr Bruhn.
“Footy has always been a huge part of my life,” he said.
“We were at a pre-season grand final and I told Peter the bus leaves at 10.30 because he was always late.
“But the game ran 45 minutes overtime and the bus ended up going back empty.”
Both of his sons had played football in the league for Lavington Panthers in the past.
He said to win the award really meant a lot to him.
Mr Montgomery thanked his wife, his two sons and his daughter for supporting him over the years.
“My wife asked what I was wearing as I was getting ready and I showed her the shirt, but she made me change,” he said.
“Now I know why.”
Mr Montgomery has been involved with the Ovens and Murray in many different capacities including as the first general manager of the league.
Currently he is the chairman of the Hall of Fame and takes care of several different media fronts.
On Saturday mornings he can be heard on ABC and 107.3 radio as well as on 105.7 The River on Fridays.
He also spent time on the selectors panel for the interleague side.
The crowd roared as his name was called with many congratulating him as he walked back to his seat.
After years with the league acting in both paid and voluntary capacities, it became clear Mr Montgomery was a deserving winner of the award.
He was described as someone who made a huge mark that would not easily be matched during his time with the league.
Humble in his winnings, he said the fact people noticed his contribution over the years was something which really brought on the emotion.
He joked he would celebrating with another diet coke back at the table with his family.