Longtime volunteer Scotney Hayter was presented with the award by Stawell Athletic Club president Geoff McDermott as a thank you for his service to the club at their monthly meeting on Monday, November 15.

Mr Hayter said he was very proud to receive the award.

"It is a great honour," he said.

"It is a privilege to be serving on the committee to start with and to be honoured with a life membership doesn't seem real."

Mr Hayter said he was first invited to join the club 20 years ago, when he was in charge of the Stawell Australia Post office.

Once he began getting involved with the Stawell Athletic Club, Mr Hayter was hooked.

"I knew of the club and knew a little bit about the club and was invited to come along to a meeting and the rest is history," he said.

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"What is not to love about the Stawell Gift?

"The challenge of working with the committee of 24 people, that in itself is a unique experience I guess, and the thrill of Easter itself and the hard work makes it all worth it.

Mr Hayter grew up with athletics and sport as part of his recreation, with his brother running professionally while Mr Hayter went through Little Athletics and played cricket in the Grampians.

But he has made his mark with the Stawell Athletic Club's executive committee, where he has volunteered for 14 out of his 20 years with the club.

Within that he has devoted most of his time to the administration of the event, making sure everything goes smoothly on race day.

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In addition to his time with the Stawell Athletic Club, Mr Hayter works with the Ararat Australia Post office and volunteers with Rotary.

But the Stawell Athletic Club still remains one of his biggest passions, 20 years after he started volunteering with the club.

"I am still enjoying it and it never feels like a job," he said.

"It is a sense of relief, and you get to see the race and at the end of the Monday you know it has all been worth it.

"It takes up a lot more time over Easter that's for sure.

"We meet once a month, but depending on the time of the year, we might meet based on having sub-committees which have to meet and things like that."

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