The man more well known as “Bomber” has been involved in Coolah Rugby League for nearly 40 years, initially as a player before coaching both junior and senior teams and then in being involved in administration and the day to day running of a club,.

He has also held roles at a Group and Divisional level.

Significantly, Thrift played a key role bringing the senior Roos back into the Castlereagh League in 2012 after a 12 year hiatus.

“It’s made my day, I’m really honoured I’d like to thank everyone in the Rugby League and Coolah community for their support,” he said on hearing the good news from the Country Rugby League.

Thrift’s community support stretches well beyond his favourite sport of rugby league. He is vice president of the Coolah Lions Club and is a familiar voice as a radio host for sports and music programmes on community radio.

In addition to all that, he also happily spends many hours each year volunteering with the Coolah Driver Reviver team.

“It’s vibrant people like “Bomber” that keep communities like Coolah strong within Country Rugby League,” CRL Regional Manager Peter Clarke said.

“On behalf of Western Rugby League I’d like to congratulate “Bomber”, it’s a well deserved recognition for a true icon of Country Rugby League.”

The regional honour sees Thrift advance to the Country Rugby League’s top six unsung heroes for 2016 and he will attend the CRL Volunteer of the Year Gala Dinner at Potts Point on August 6. The CRL winner will then progress to the NRL One Community Awards, where volunteers are acknowledged on a national stage.

“He is one of those blokes who just loves country rugby league and does anything and everything that needs to be done for his club and at a higher level,” Castlereagh League secretary-treasurer Bryson Luff added.