A MAN who fled unrest in East Timor on a refugee boat in the 1970s and now runs a supermarket in Dubbo has been recognised for valuable contribution to the local community.
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Henry Jom was presented with the NSW Government Community Service Award yesterday.
Mr Jom, who owns and operates the West Dubbo IGA with his wife Denise, was "overwhelmed and lost for words" when Dubbo MP Troy Grant, family, friends, staff, fellow Rotarians and members of the community converged on the premises to surprise him with the award yesterday morning.
"Henry can be seen seven days a week helping customers," Mr Grant said.
"He starts work at 4.30am every morning and his pleasant unassuming personality attracts his many local customers back time after time."
A well-respected member for the Rotary Club of Dubbo South for more than 20 years, Mr Jom had twice won the Paul Harris Fellowship and had worked closely with the committee on the Royal Flying Doctor Service fundraising ball which raised $30,000 for the Dubbo base last year, Mr Grant said, as well as giving time to help with the biannual Destination Outback fundraiser trip.
"As a local businessman and sponsor of many sporting teams, he is widely loved by the community, and goes above and beyond in everything he does for the community," Mr Grant said.
"He feels he owes something back to the community, but the truth is this community owes something to Henry Jom."
Mr Jom said he was "totally surprised" to receive the award.
"My family kept it a secret from me, I had no idea, but it's a great honour," he said after recovering from the initial shock.
Mr Jom's work ethic was evident prior to his move to Dubbo, having worked for the Bourke abattoir in the years leading up his move.
"It was a culture shock moving to Bourke but I came to this country as a refugee and I will never forget that, and the opportunities I was given here.
"Now here I am I have a wife and three lovely girls," he said.
At a time when independent grocers faced stiff competition from bigger supermarket chains, Mr Jom said providing exceptional customer service was vital to running a successful business.
"We are always friendly to our customers, they are the most important people," he said. "It doesn't matter how well you do, if they don't walk through the door it doesn't mean anything.
"I always treat everyone with respect and you always get a return for that, from a young age I was taught, regardless of what race and creed you are, you treat people with respect."