It seems only fitting then that one of the city’s long-serving volunteers was honoured at Tuesday’s Australia Day awards.

When it comes to giving back to her community it would be hard to find someone who had worked harder, and contributed to a more diverse range of organisations, than yesterday’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year Denise Wilson.

Mrs Wilson began volunteering 40 years ago when she helped raise funds for Millthorpe Public School, kicking off a fundraising career that would span decades.

Keen to expand her volunteering beyond the school P & C, Mrs Wilson went on to become a fundraiser for the Millthorpe’s Royal Far West and then Cancer Care Western NSW, where she is a now a board member.

In her spare time she also caters for weddings, birthdays and wakes with the Forest Reefs Uniting Church Women’s Fellowship to raise money for the church and causes such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service.

Mrs Wilson’s contribution to the various organisations she’s been associated with has been generous and ongoing.

She is a great example of what it means to be a volunteer, and that’s a desire to contribute to her community and help people in need.

Humble as always, yesterday Mrs Wilson said she had not expected to be honoured in such a public way but was quick to point out she is only one of many volunteers who are trying to make a difference to their community.

Mrs Wilson’s hard work and dedication behind the scenes typifies what it means to be great volunteer and a worthy recipient of yesterday’s award.