Brian, 74, is passionate about the Macleay Valley community and making a difference in people’s lives.

He is a member of the Kempsey West Rotary and Kempsey and District Chamber of Commerce; a Director of Cedar Place, past Director of Macleay Regional Co-operative and past President of Kempsey High School P&C.

Brian is a selfless man whose nomination and selection for Citizen of the Year has surprised and humbled him.

Brian wouldn’t think that anything he does is any different to what any other person in his position would do.

“I didn’t know I was nominated and it certainly came as a surprise when council advised me I was one of the two who got the gong,” Brian told The Macleay Argus.

“I’m very humbled to be able to get an award like this because there have been so many great awardees in the past and to be up there with them is very humbling.”

Brian is currently a foundation donor for the Slim Dusty Centre and one of the keen volunteers behind the Slim Dusty Country Music Memories Week. All this whilst regularly driving the Cedar Place bus on outings to brighten the day of residents and staff alike.

He also provides company to aged care residents and is a familiar face at Cedar Place and Macleay Valley House where he often entertains with his ukulele.

Brian grew up in Macksville and moved to Kempsey 42-years-ago when he was transferred to the area while working for the Rural Bank.

He has raised his family here with his wife, Kay, with two sons still living in Kempsey. Over his decades as a successful local businessman,

Brian has employed many shire residents and donated and volunteered thousands of hours of his time to stimulate employment and social opportunities for the Kempsey community.

“We came to Kempsey 42–years-ago and the community has been so good to us and when we arrived we were made to feel like locals from day one,” Brain said. “Without volunteers Kempsey would not work because there is not enough money around to have everything paid for and a community certainly would not be a community like Kempsey if we didn’t have volunteers.

“Kempsey and the Macleay is one place where if anybody is in need you can be certain that there is somebody out there that will get in and volunteer and make those peoples lives a much happier one.

“Kempsey is great, I’m happy here and I can’t see any reason why we would leave the place, it’s wonderful.”