For the past 17 years Lindsay Hanchett has pulled together the Wodonga Carols by Candlelight.
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And despite the challenges 2020 served up, in December he did it again, albeit virtually.
It was these community efforts, combined with his active involvement in the Wodonga Brass Band and the Murray Hume Business Enterprise Centre, which have seen him awarded this year's Wodonga Citizen of the Year.
With his wife Carol by his side, who fittingly celebrates her birthday on Christmas Eve, Mr Hanchett was humbled by the recognition but said he "doesn't quite fit the mould" of your typical award winner.
"I am very honoured, I have attended most Australia Day services since 1999 and I have seen a lot of high standard nominees and I certainly don't put myself in that category," he said.
"But out community has a lot of great people who have really stood up during last year.
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"I find it difficult to keep quiet, and I have a certain skill set which I can contribute to our community." Lindsay is best-known for organising the Wodonga Carols by Candlelight and has taken the community event to new heights in the past 17 years.
He has helped with the introduction of proper staging and changes to the funding and donations to make the event one of the largest in the region.
The event has seen its challenges including grasshoppers, rain, smoke, electrical storms, high temperatures as well as the pandemic last year. Lindsay has also been actively involved in the Wodonga Brass Band.
He was president of the brass band from 2002 to 2011, is the current treasurer and was made a Life Member in 2005.
The qualified accountant has also been a driving force behind the operation of the Murray Hume Business Enterprise Centre since its inception in 1983. Wodonga mayor Kev Poulton said Lindsay continues to contribute to the Wodonga community.
"As we know the past 12 months have been quite unique and it was a time more than ever we needed community spirit, and Lindsay and the great support he has, still managed to bring carols to our community at Christmas," he said.
The Wodonga Australia Day selection panel decided not to select a Young Citizen or Community Organisation this year.
"Nonetheless we know that right across the community people and organisations have continued to be active in many different ways," Cr Poulton said.
"The stories from these times will no doubt become known in the months and years ahead."
- Australia Day services P18
