Stawell's Ian "Daffy" O'Donnell was awarded a national volunteer award on Wednesday.
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Mr O'Donnell was recognised for his advocacy work on rallying for the upgrades to Stawell's North Park precinct.
The project was given the green light in 2019.
Mr O'Donnell received a letter "a few months ago" with the announcement of his nomination for the award.
"I was pretty proud to receive the award and my family came along to the event," he said. "I was nominated for the award by someone in the community. I'm still not sure who it was.
"The award and recognition were mainly aimed at the work I have done over the years at North Park."
Some say the colours black, teal and white run through Mr O'Donnell's blood.
His history with the Swifts Football Club dates back to when he was a mascot at the age of five-years-old.
"I started playing at the club in 1969," he said.
"My father was a previous president and played at the club and my grandfather was involved too. My family has been involved with the club for a very long time."
At the Swifts annual general meeting in October, Mr O'Donnell was appointed the president of his beloved club.
"Everyone knows what it's like to get volunteers," he said.
"I was the vice president for the past few years but one of the main reasons I took on the role this year is to see the North Park project out and try and help the club out as much as I can going forward.
"Back in the 1980s was the first time I took on the presidents role at the club."
Although Mr O'Donnell aligns himself with the Swifts, the active voice within the community said his drive for the improvements at North Park wasn't with only the football club in mind.
"The whole time I've been advocating for the project is for the wider community," he said.
"So many community groups use the venue. Females who play any sport in the area have never had anywhere to get changed.
"It's been an issue for the generation before me, my generation and the next generations who have come after me."
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