A HUMBLE Ian Atthow, Milmerran, stopped short of shedding a tear when confirmed as the 11th Life Member of the Australian Campdraft Association in Brisbane on August 10.
Mr Atthow, previously a president of the association and one of its greatest servants, said he better start his acceptance speech by acknowledging family before he got too "emotional" because he was deeply touched.
"The year I got married to Donna was the same year I joined the committee so she has lived the committee as much as I have," Mr Atthow said.
"In the early days I would just sit in a corner and hope no-one noticed but after a couple of years some of the older guys took me under their wing and I started to get more involved.
"The ACA has taken me to almost everywhere, though I never did get to NSW. It's been character building.
"There were times when I thought about giving it away but being pig-headed I stuck at it, dug in deeper and worked harder."
Mr Atthow deflected praise for his involvement in the ACA establishing a permanent office, saying he was a bit player in the process.
But he made special mention of his committee colleagues and staff.
"I must have been the toughest president because in my time there were three different secretaries. Getting the office up and running was one of the best decisions by the ACA and I get more credit for it than I deserve," he said. "Previous committees warrant more mention than me.
"After my first three years I remember saying to one of the other councillors that I did not think I was doing enough, that I was involved enough.
"But he encouraged me and urged me to stay and that support was monumental. I do miss going to the meetings and the banter and I feel really humbled by this.
"if I had my time over again I wouldn't change a thing."
Past president Sean Dillion said Mr Atthow gave more to the ACA than it returned.
"Ian served on the management committee for 21 years from 1998-2018, was president of the committee from 2013-17 and either side of that term he was vice-president, he served on such committees as finance and admin, policy and judges, animal welfare and was the national campdraft delegate," Mr Dillon said.
Former treasurer Greg Wallace, the 10th life member of the ACA, has also been recognised for his lengthy tenure as treasurer.
"Greg put us on the right footing during his term as treasurer. He instilled a financial discipline in our committee that we now act with the same fiduciary responsibility that rivals some of the big corporations," Mr Dillon said.