Max won the award jointly with Marnoo farmer Norm Duxson.

Max is a familiar face in and around Stawell, volunteering his services to programs such as Meals on Wheels, helping needy people and people who are living alone and playing Santa for organisations such as Eventide Homes, Riding for the Disabled and Stawell Fire Brigade, as well as cooking barbecues for Stawell Primary School and St Patrick's Primary School.

Recipient of the Lions Club's Alan J Holding Memorial Community Service Awards in recognition of his outstanding service in October, 2008, Max has also served as president and treasurer of the Stawell Lions Club a number of times and assumed official roles with Stawell Riding for the Disabled and the Stawell Orchid Society.

Max's membership of the Lions Club has meant being mint chairman, Lions Cake chairman, Melbourne Cup Day collecting for cancer, working at the Easter Carnival and the Stawell Show, the Lions Coffee Break and wherever there is a need.

Max first joined the Stawell Lions Club in 1981 and has had perfect attendance for 28 years. He has served as president four times, zone chairman four times and regional chairman. While in his capacity as mint chairman, some $16,000 has been raised for the Lions Club under Max's guidance.