CRESWICK resident Bob Orr is the Hepburn Shire Council Australia Day Citizen of the Year.

Mr Orr, recognised for his contribution to the community for over 30 years, received the award at his home town last Thursday night.

The retired 73-year-old said he was pleased and proud to win the award, but acknowledged other people who also contributed to the community.

Mr Orr moved to Creswick in 1969 and has been involved with many organisations that are "all worthy of being part of".

In the past 10 years, Mr Orr's achievements have included chairman of the Creswick District News, president of Friends of Park Lake and treasurer of the Creswick Community Bank committee and the John Curtin Memorial

Hostel. He is also a foundation member of the Creswick Probus Club.

Mr Orr has served on the Hepburn Health Services board, is a former shire councillor, served on the board of the Creswick Hospital and John Curtin Memorial Hostel, the Creswick and District Development Association, the Creswick

Development Committee, the Uniting Church and has been an officer of the Creswick Havilah Masonic Lodge and the State Board of Benevolence of Freemasonry.

Mr Orr said he was committed to serving the community to make it a better place.

There was no particular organisation that Mr Orr wanted to highlight.

"All organisations are important to our community," he said.

He said there was more to do in the community in the years to come.

"I want to get the community bank established and I hope we will see a Prep to Year 10 school in Creswick."

"I will be standing by and help make them happen."

Council's CEO Victor Szwed said there were few areas that Mr Orr would not have provided some assistance or advice, or taken some responsibility.

"Although by nature Mr Orr is a quiet person, he has been helping others in a large way for more than 30 years. He does this without an audience and without expecting any recognition or thanks. When it comes to administration,

this is where he excels," he said.

"Mr Orr has an amazing ability to achieve a task with great attention to detail, leaving no stone unturned."