"I enjoy everything I do, alongside such lovely people."
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It's a simple reason why Dick Hudson volunteers so much of his time to Inverell. This simple reason, coupled with a staunch love of the community, has seen him crowned Inverell's Citizen of the Year.
But it's not just one group that receives the volunteering efforts from Mr Hudson, but many. Environmental, sporting, cultural, church and community service work. You name it, Dick's probably helped out.
His particular involvement in the sporting sphere has spanned decades, working under many hats: player, volunteer coach, committee member.
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"I think it's just what you did," he told the Times when asked why he started up.
"I love to organise things, and I suppose being a school teacher that is so much of what you did - you like to see things getting on and to help keep them moving."
Cricket and golf are the favourites of the retired head teacher, and his byline can often be seen in the Times, reviewing tournaments and drumming up interest in upcoming events.
He is a life member of the Nullamanna Cricket Club, and has been and will continue to be an integral volunteer and committee member of the Inverell Golf Club.
In announcing the Citizen of the Year, Mayor Paul Harmon said Mr Hudson had been everything from an "organiser, photographer, journalist, gardener, and labourer" for the club, and lauded him as a "dedicated, involved, compassionate, loyal and loved member of our Inverell community".
Dedicating hundreds of hours to the Uniting Church of Inverell, he's been assisting with property maintenance and upkeep of the grounds, while also getting fellow parishioners to their medical appointments.
Slipping on another cape, one of the many projects he's most passionate about is one that took almost a decade to eventuate - the May Street park and lookout.
As part of his role as secretary of the Inverell East Rotary Club, he was keenly involved in getting the project off the ground.
"That was 11 years ago that Inverell East Rotary started that, and you are working with positive people all the way through, and you get a lot of enjoyment out of it," he explained.
"Every time I drive past... I'll look up at the park, and there's a lot of satisfaction in that."
Heading along on Wednesday or Thursday, he is part of a volunteer team hard at work equipped with both ride-on and push mowers, whipper-snippers and more, to keep the picnic and viewing area in tip-top condition.
"We sit for an hour afterwards for a coffee and a chat... that's hardly work!" he laughed.
His work for the Inverell's Got Talent show involves a little more sweat, alongside Tim Newberry, but was "worth it".
"It's hard work... but by the time you've finished, the satisfaction on that night and afterwards is terrific."
Mr Hudson moved to the area just over half a century ago for his first posting at Tingha Central School. His wife Andrea started there on the same day, going to to rear three girls in the town they love.
"The five of us have had lots of opportunities over those 52 years, and we are very appreciative of the town and the community for those opportunities that we've been given," Mr Hudson said.
"I guess I look at my contribution in part as pay-back - giving back to the community, but it's more than that.
"I've gained a lot from volunteering, and I would encourage anyone else that doesn't volunteer, to think about being involved and getting the joy you can get out of it."
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