Held yesterday morning at the Dubbo Regional Theatre and Convention Centre, the ceremony recognised 16 community-driven residents.

With the main grouping of the Dubbo Day awards presented to 14 of the city's most valued volunteers, Dubbo mayor Mathew Dickerson said this particular award recognised the commendable volunteer work of an individual who was also juggling full-time employment.

Mr Hosken, a secondary geography and economics teacher, first moved to Dubbo in 1991.

He was described by Cr Dickerson as a person who had made a significant contribution to the Dubbo community.

A member of the founding committee of the Family and Friends of the First AIF Inc (FFFAIF), Mr Hosken had spent a large majority of his time researching WWI and editing the FFFAIF Digger magazine.

The self-proclaimed history buff has used his passion to keep the digger heritage alive.

It was idea for students to research a WWI solider which inspired Mr Hosken in 2002 to publish Digging For Diggers, A Guide to Researching an Australian Soldier of the Great War, 1914-1918.

Cr Dickerson said Mr Hosken's ability to "solve the unknown" had assisted researchers in identifying an unknown soldier in Pheasant Wood Military Cemetery in northern France.

Along with those achievements, Mr Hosken has played an important role in linking together generations by fostering a WWI interest in students throughout the state, all of whom were enrolled in Dubbo School of Distance Education.

Mr Hosken said he was shocked when he learned he was nominated for the award.

"When I first moved here in 1991, it didn't take long to realise there was a one-man army called Tony McGrane," he said.

Although he never had the pleasure of meeting Mr McGrane, Mr Hosken said it was a true honour to win an award named after him.

Recently awarded a life membership with the FFFAIF for his countless contributions to WWI research, Mr Hosken said he considered himself very lucky to work with the people who have shared his interests.

"I've always liked to encourage people to realise that anyone can do the research," he said.

"It's all about what people can do for themselves."

With a lot of his research work done from home, Mr Hosken said he was looking forward to retiring at the end of the school year.

"Then I'll really get busy," he said.