Matt Roberts is more comfortable with a hockey stick in his hand than diving into a pool. But on Sunday evening he found himself rubbing shoulders with Dawn Fraser, the Thorpedo and other Australian swimming royalty in Sydney.
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In July he'd been recognised as the 'Local Legend of the Month' - a Swimming Australia accolade for volunteers who go above and beyond in their duties - after a unanimous vote by Nambucca Aquatic Swim Club members for the nomination.
"I thought that was it - I didn't think there was another one," he said.
But four weeks ago he received a letter inviting him to the annual Sydney awards ceremony where he'd been named as one of four national finalists for the Local Legends category.
"I didn't think I deserved to win - others probably did more, I dunno," he said.
Those around him beg to differ, so did Swimming Australia because Matt was named Local Legend of the Year.
"He's a very generous person but doesn't like to show it," his wife, Jacky Robins, said.
When people are in need he's always there.
Just recently he extended his help to club members in the path of the fires, setting up sprinklers on their rooves and letting them know he was there to help in any way they needed.
Leigh Eastwood is the club's grants officer and was confident when she wrote the nomination that it would pay off: "Matt just involves himself in everything - he's always doing something".
It's the little club's third season and it's come a long way in that time; in the beginning there wasn't even a stopwatch.
Matt was the person who took charge of fundraising, using his local connections to secure donations from Local Liquor, Riverside Motors, and the Nambucca Lions, for raffles and for club shirts and other merchandise.
"He recently approached the Lions Club who donated some money to assist with the travelling costs for our swimmers to go to Sydney to participate in State Championships," Leigh said.
When the club won a grant for new regulation-height diving blocks, Matt was there with a jackhammer helping to install them.
And you're sure to find him on the barbie most club nights: "He likes to have a chat and make everyone feel good by cooking his sausages," Jacky said.
The pair were starstruck at the Museum of Contemporary Art where the black tie event was held.
"It was pretty daunting with all those people there," Matt said.
I don't really get dressed up in suits, I'd rather just wear thongs, board shorts and a t-shirt.
But the pair said everyone made them feel welcome: "They were actually coming up to me and congratulating me on what I do."
He still can't see what all the fuss was about, but Matt is proud that his efforts earned his club $500 and some national recognition.
He'd like to thank the sponsors who helped the club get up on its feet, and Leigh and Geoff Eastwood for their support.
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Mel Leigh Dee
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
Mel is a journalist at the Guardian News and is based in Macksville.
