Mr Walkom's leadership was saluted by the crowd at RDA Orana's recent State of the Region event in Dubbo.

He stood down from the role earlier this year, believing it was "time to pass on the baton".

READ ALSO:

A businessman living in Dubbo, Mr Walkom tells of RDA Orana's pivotal role in getting projects noticed and supported.

"Initially you are 100 per cent involved and then as the project matures you become less and less involved," he said.

Mr Walkom said in the case of the Golden Highway, RDA Orana and RDA Hunter joined forces to produce an economic impact analysis that helped persuade the federal government to provide funding.

"They understand the economic relevance of the Golden Highway to not just the Orana region but to regional NSW and to the link to Newcastle," he said.

Mr Walkom said the Australian Opal Centre at Lightning Ridge would become "close to a $40 million" asset for the region while the Cobar BioHub would make land clearing by farmers "income positive".

"We did all the planning and all the research," he said.

The former chairman also told of RDA Orana being "one of the leaders in regional Australia" in acquiring skilled worker migration through 149 visas.

Mr Walkom remains on the Western NSW Local Health District and Taronga Conservation Society boards.

Mudgee's Brad Cam is acting chairman of RDA Orana.

"The volunteer position has recently been formally advertised with appointment expected in before Christmas," a spokeswoman for RDA Orana told the Daily Liberal.

"The chair of the organisation is appointed by the Assistant Minister for Regional Development, The Honorable Nola Marino."

The seven-member RDA Orana committee includes two Dubbo men, Jeff Caldbeck and Steve Hinks.