Mr Brown has had a huge hand in reviving the Blessing of The Fleet Festival in Ulladulla, having been the chairman of the festival's committee since 2007.

The Rotary Club of Milton-Ulladulla was approached, as community non-for-profit organisation, to revive and run the Festival and have run it, under the stewardship of Mr Brown for 12 years.

The volunteer said the recognition was a "huge" honour.

"It's very humbling, I'm just one of the many volunteers in this town," he said to The Times.

Mr Brown is also a past president of the Rotary Club of Milton Ulladulla (2008-09 and 2017-18) and has been an active member of the club since 2001. During this time he was Paul Harris Fellow sapphire recipient and a past community director.

A surveyor by trade, has also been heavily involved with the Milton-Ulladulla Baptist Church since becoming a member in 1985.

He is a member of the church's building committee since 1997, he's helped bring Christmas cheer through combined Christmas Carols organising committee, he was a deacon from 2000 to 2005 and a past Sunday School teacher.

Mr Brown is also known for his support of Jindelara Respite Cottage, his membership and leadership of Milton Ulladulla Apex Club in the 1990s and his leadership of the Milton Public School's P&C from 1995 to 2001.

Mr Brown said he appreciated the support of Rotarians and Apexians over the years and he also praised the support of his wife Rose.

"We've been here for 34 years in Ulladulla [region] and we've had a fantastic time making friends through our volunteering," he said.

Some of Mr Brown's awards and recognition include: