Alongside fellow Rotarian David Williams, Mr Mills established the committee responsible for introducing the club’s sustainability living week back in 2008.

Despite working full-time back then as a program manager for extensive agriculture at TAFE NSW, Mr Mills found the time to put together a program of events to encourage more environmentally responsible practices for businesses and the public.

Since retiring in April, Mr Mills said he enjoyed having more time to work on the project, as well as the Smith Family scholarship program which supports children’s education.

“I see volunteering as the glue that keeps communities together. It’s a way of giving back,” he said.

“I think education is one of the tools which allow people to participate.”

Mr Mills said he has volunteered in some form all of his working life and had no intention of stopping.

Orange Sustainability Living Week will run from November 5-18.