On a list of volunteer roles, there aren't many Glenellen's Phillip Cooper doesn't have ticked.
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And the former teacher, nurse and Defence member has now been recognised as Senior Volunteer of the Year for the Riverina region.
Regional finalists for the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards, run by The Centre for Volunteering, were announced in Wagga on Tuesday and are invited to Sydney for the announcement of the statewide winner.
Mr Cooper, who first joined the Rural Fire Service in 1998, was humbled by the accolade.
"I've been doing justice of the peace for about 40 years, Clean Up Australia Day for about 30, and I'm a member of the Glenellen RFS, the Culcairn SES, and the St John's Ambulance Albury unit," he said.
"You really can't put them in any line; I enjoy all three organisations."
The former Lavington Public School principal, who has been living in Glenellen since 2011, has had a diverse working career.
"There was 10 years where I had a break from teaching and became a registered nurse, and I spent 47 years with the Department of Defence with Army Reserves," he said.
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"I've been with St John's just over four years.
"When I turned 65, I had to retire from the reserves, which meant I had a Tuesday night free.
"I went looking around and St John's was there as an option."
Mr Cooper, who headed straight back from the awards ceremony to be at a St John's meeting (followed by an SES meeting on Wednesday), says he does have time for himself in between his commitments.
"In volunteering, what you're doing is enhancing your local community - it's an intrinsic thing," he said.
"You don't go to these ceremonies to win.
"I'm representing all the people who volunteer in the Riverina, especially the organisations I'm with.
"They're great to work with and have the same outlook as me."
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said volunteers built connections in their towns.
"They help to build such positive experiences and links to services across health, education and community sectors," she said.
"Our ceremony today recognises their work and allows us to say thank you."
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward also recognised their efforts.
"In NSW, volunteers contribute more than $5 billion to the economy each year and their social contribution is even greater," he said.
