Geoffrey Holland has declared his listing on Dubbo's honour role for business "one of the highlights" of his career.
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The man, who this year retired after 16 years at the helm of "one of the most successful clubs in regional NSW", was celebrated at this year's Rhino Awards, held on Friday night.
Dubbo Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Andrew Toole said Mr Holland was a deserving inductee to the Jean Emile Serisier Roll of Honour, but the recipient himself was "a little shocked".
"It was received with humility and certainly I'm overjoyed," Mr Holland said.
Mr Toole said Mr Holland was the "driving force behind Dubbo RSL Club's transition from a 'beer and pokies' joint to a respected local business and one of the most successful clubs in regional NSW".
Yesterday Mr Holland, who was the secretary-manager before his retirement, said the club had been proactive in a number of areas including sustainability, workcover matters and developing assets and facilities.
He named the gym's indoor pool as one of those assets, saying it was a great benefit to the community and during the winter months was Dubbo's only pool.
"I've been grateful for the opportunity to work in a community-minded club," he said.
The club's dimensions had included aged care for the past 15 years as well as its youth club.
This created a broad spectrum from the aged to the 20,000 club members to youth, he said.
"I'm sure the club will continue to progress," he said.
Mr Holland had not been aware he was in the running for the honour.
The Jean Emile Serisier Roll of Honour is bestowed by the chamber in recognition of those who demonstrate outstanding entrepreneurial spirit, strategic business direction and innovative ideas, while providing inspiration to a new generation of upcoming business leaders.
Named after Dubbo's first businessman, Mr Holland said previous inductees were "a unique group" and it was an honour he had not expected.
"I was invited there under pretext, there was a little bit of a conspiracy to make sure I would be there," he said.
"It's certainly one of the highlights of my career and I'm humbled that other people thought me worthy of such a prestigious award."
