It’s that effort which earned the very humble Mr Sinclair a long service award this week, presented to him by Member for Dubbo and Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant.

Mr Sinclair said while volunteers don’t expect their name up in lights, the award is special. 

“It means a lot, not so much for myself, but to be able to hand something down to my family when I go,” he said.

“That was the main idea behind getting the award which Mr Grant has pursued for me, and I appreciate everything he’s done because he’s been a very busy man and to fiddle around with this is just way beyond what I expected.”

Mr Grant said the recognition of a volunteer’s service is important as they are the everyday heroes in a community. 

He recalled the significant contribution Mr Sinclair made between the 1980s and particularly during the 1990 Nyngan floods, and plans to push for further recognition. 

“This is a demonstration of our appreciation and recognition of the contribution that you’ve made and also for your family,” Mr Grant said.

“This is the long service award for NSW emergency services for your 10 years formal service with the SES and as I’ve alluded to I look forward to pursuing the recognition of your longer 30 plus years contribution to this state and our community.”

Mr Sinclair’s days began at the West Dubbo branch where technology was a far cry from what it is today. 

“Everything was done by phone or by foot, running around in a truck somewhere in the middle of the night,” Mr Sinclair said. “Today it’s different, you can pick up a phone and see who you’re talking to...not that I do that.” 

Regardless of the time gone by he said the SES remains vital to a community. 

“I encourage anybody, particular young people – women and men – to volunteer their service because it's essential that these sort of organisations continue,” he said. “If I was young again I’d still be doing it.”