Terence Clark received an 'amazing' birthday gift, when he was named as Dubbo's 2021 Citizen of the Year during the Australia Day ceremony.
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"The award is amazing, I'm very humbled by it, it's been a long journey in Dubbo 35 years and as today is my birthday, this is a wonderful gift," Mr Clark said.
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Mr Clark began volunteering with the Dubbo Royal Flying Doctors Support Group (RFDS) in 2001 when he entered his EH Holden in the RFDS Outback Trek, driving from Coffs Harbour to Perth via Winton.
After raising over $330,000 in 11 years, the car was donated by Mr Clark to RFDS tourist experience.
"We raised $330,000 in the trek car, but if you want to add up the fundraisers after 17 years as president it would be in the multi-millions," he said.
"We had one areoplane when I began as president and 12 employees when I began there, today we have over 100 and up to eight king air's based there from time to time,"
Until late 2020, Mr Clark was the president of the Dubbo RFDS Support Group. Under his leadership, the Dubbo Support Group were able to raise several million dollars, most of which remained in the Dubbo region.
These funds helped expand the Dubbo RFDS base and increased the support available to residents.
Towards the end of Mr Clark's presidency, significant funds were contributed to the new tourist centre, the RFDS experience, which has becoming a leading tourist attraction of the Dubbo Region.
Mr Clark has also served as Director of the RFDS Eastern Section for over a decade, being appointed in 2007.
In his position as director Mr Clark was able to push the expansion of the RFDS base in Dubbo to what it now is today, with a pilot training centre, virtual consultations, a dental service and the tourist experience.
Mr Clark admitted there was 'dozens of people' he wished to thank.
"One person doesn't achieve what we achieved as a group, it's a combination of a team and I was just lucky enough to led that team," he said.
"It's the people that donate and the people that volunteer."
At the end of his speech, after receiving the award, Mr Clark thanked his World War Two veteran father for his support.
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