In a town of about 100 people, the golf club is the only sporting club left.

Both humble recipients of the recognition of their dedication to the club, both men were surprised when their names were called out.

Mr Hyslop said he wondered why all of his family wanted to come to the meeting. The suggestion of extra meat on the barbeque helped throw him off the scent of the surprise.

Mr Hyslop has been a member of the club for about 40 years and has been the club's treasurer for the past 13.

"I really enjoy the social side of the club, not necessarily the golf," he said.

"After about 40 years, I'm still no good at it."

Holding a position on the executive committee for 36 years straight, Mr Hyslop has a family connection with the club, joining his parents on the life members' board.

"We've only got around 20 members and the roles seem to go around in circles," Mr Hyslop said.

"It seems like it's the same ones year in year out. We love what we do and I guess in a town where the population is shrinking it was bound to happen.

"There are people who have been around the club, even some longer than me, who haven't been awarded life membership.

"I was a bit embarrassed when I received the award, but feel very honoured."

Mr Hunt has been around the club for about 35 years and can be found on Sunday afternoon's sharpening the mower blades and tinkering around the machinery.

"When I originally joined the club, I joined for a bit of exercise and a social outing," Mr Hunt said.

"I enjoy the set up of the club and still enjoy the comradeship at the club.

"I love the scrapes course."

Mr Hunt, a former club secretary for 21 years, said he was embarrassed when they announced the award.

"There are people around the club who have done just as much as I have," he said.

"We have a lot of loyal people around the club and are still as passionate about the place, to when they first joined so many years ago."

Mr Hunt said there were only about "half a dozen" children living in the area which makes it tough to attract new interest into the club and sport.

"It's the usual thing with small country towns where children or young adults go away for education or work," he said.

"Something they don't come back and that's just the way it is."

Glenorchy Golf Club hosts many open day events during its season on the nine hole scrapes course.

"A number of members come from Stawell so we're lucky that way," he said.

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