Up against two other networks in the Best Community Service Project category, Monte saw the finalists list early on Sunday morning.

He said the news was incredibly overwhelming as he continued to let the national recognition sink in a little more.

Although 2NZ successfully, with the help of Inverell and surrounding districts, ran three community campaigns with Fight for the Farmers and the Christmas drive, Bottles for Bundarra was nominated.

"We had a magnificent response from all drives but Bottles for Bundarra was more measurable in the difference we were able to make.

"Not only did we manage to supply water for them while they were on a boil water alert but a week after we launched the drive, Tingha was hit with a fire. Bundarra was still on the alert when their power was cut from the fire so the bottled water turned out to be an even bigger help for the people of Bundarra because they still had access to clean water," he said.

The idea to launch the bottled water drive flourished after Monte heard on the local news Bundarra was on a boil alert for their water. Having reached out to Bundarra Lions Club members to suggest asking the people of Inverell and surrounding districts to donate water while on the alert, he organised to interview the Uralla Shire mayor the following morning.

With the help of the small, tight-knit team at 2NZ Monte launched the drive during his morning show at 7am and by 9am, when he went off air, the first lot of donations had already been made.

"The generosity and resilience of Inverell and surrounds shines through every single time we are involved in one of these campaigns and it's incredible."

The next day Bunnings Inverell contacted 2NZ to say they would donate a 20,000 litre water tank and pay for it to be installed at Bundarra Showground.

BEST followed through by matching Bunnings' donation and before anyone could take it in, Bundarra had been future-proofed of water contamination issues.

Monte said Bundarra Lions Club deserved a "massive thank you" as nothing was too much of a hassle for them. The club even ran a station in Bundarra for people to collect water.

"Pete Gregory and the team involved were fantastic. Everyone involved was fantastic and the whole community and surrounds deserves a thank you."

The Australian Commercial Radio Awards finals will be held at Brisbane's Royal International Convention Centre on October 19.

Described as the Logies of Australian radio, Monte said he'd be rubbing shoulders will well-known radio celebrities often heard of 2NZ and Gem FM.

"One thing I am very proud of is how good the team is here at 2NZ. All projects that come out of here are a full on team effort. Pete will drive it on Gem, and Dave, at the time Meg, but also now Tayla, all get just as involved."

Monte said 2NZ and the station held a lot of history.

"The likes of the legendary Terry Harkins, Greg Kachel, Peter Caddey and Gerry Taveira. They are all icons of 2NZ so I knew when I took the position I was filling those shoes. 2NZ won numerous awards under the steerage of Greg Kachel."

Monte felt extremely humbled and thanked Inverell, its surrounding districts and everyone who supports 2NZ and Gem FM.

"I hope we can do you proud at the awards," he said.