AUSTRALIA'S Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove ended his three-day visit to Dubbo on a high, praising the city's volunteers and world-class facilities.
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While it had been more than 20 years since a Governor General had visited Dubbo, Sir Peter concluded his visit promising it wouldn't be 20 years "until the next one visited".
Sir Peter spent Saturday morning at the Dubbo Rescue Squad in the company of a number of the region's emergency services volunteers.
The Rescue Squad members, as part of the NSW Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), were praised by Sir Peter.
"These folks save lives and they fly a bit under the radar in the sense it's only when someone's in desperate need that publicly you become aware of the work of the Dubbo Rescue Squad does for the community," Sir Peter said.
"Whether it's rescuing someone in the bush or attending a traffic accident, they're there."
A motor vehicle rescue demonstration left the Governor General in admiration of the volunteer's high level of skills and the equipment available.
"Some of those devices, the jaws of life and the cutting tools, would cost between $15,000 to $20,000, which is all raised through public support," Sir Peter said.
"The community is lucky to have the VRA and various rescue squads all around the district on hand, with no remuneration, but with big hearts and their sleeves rolled up."
Dubbo Rescue Squad member Les Clarke, who has dedicated 51 years of his life to the community, was pleased to be part of the Governor General's visit.
"It's a big occasion for all of us here," Mr Clarke said.
"It's wonderful to see his interest in what we do."
Mr Clarke said his decision to serve the community for such a long period of time came down to the satisfaction of helping people in need.
Sir Peter said the whole trip to Dubbo had been "wonderful", from the Royal Flying Doctors Service on day one to the PCYC and a tour of the Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
"It's one of the best zoos in the world, I have no doubt."
In terms of Dubbo's position as a regional hub in the central west, Sir Peter said he was certain the city would "only go from strength to strength".
The Governor General was particularly impressed with Dubbo's Barden Park Regional Centre of Excellence for Athletics.
"The kids west of the divide who are able to access facilities like that will produce Olympians," he said.
