Mr. Jordan, 81, moved to Branxton in 1955, and was recognised for his involvement in the Lions Club and Meals on Wheels as well as his roles as president of both the Branxton Golf Club and RSL sub-branch.

He became involved in these programs through friends and has dedicated 20-to-30 years of his life to each program.

He said he got involved in each because he wanted to help out his community.

“We all like to do these little things for the community where we can,” he said.

He said he enjoys meeting the people involved in these programs, and the people appreciate his company too.

“They enjoy you coming to see them as much as you enjoy going to see them.”

Mr. Jordan said he was shocked when he found out he won the Senior Citizen of the Year award.

“I got quite a surprise really,” he said.

Mr. Jordan is Cessnock’s first Senior Citizen of the Year winner to be a year-long ambassador.

The award was previously bestowed during NSW Seniors Week, but council’s awards committee made the decision to include this category in the Australia Day awards this year.