More than six decades of volunteer work by Citizen of the Year

“When you grow up in a small community like Echuca you learn to pitch in pretty early and everybody does their bit.

“You used to pitch in and you just sort of kept on doing it and the reward is in your final results.”

Over the decades Mr Hicks’ commitment to his community and sporting activities has been unwavering, dedicating time to his various roles within cricket, football and lawn bowls clubs.

Joining the City of Echuca Bowls Club in 1982, he played pennant until 2021 and held administrative positions, including club secretary and president.

From 1996 to 2014 Mr Hicks was the tournament director, organising the Echuca Bowls Club May Carnival, attracting over 1400 bowlers nationally.

Remarkably, at 94 years old, he continues to actively contribute to the Echuca Bowls Club.

“I got very involved in the bowling club from 1991 and I’ve been involved ever since,” Mr Hicks said.

“I enjoyed what I was doing there and I still enjoy what I'm doing there.”

Mr Hicks’ lifelong passion for sport cemented his place in local history when he was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List in 2015 with a medal of the Order of Australia for his services to sport in the Echuca region.

What Mr Hicks would like to see is more young people getting involved with the community.

“The young ones don't seem to want to get involved a lot. And I think it's a pity,” he said.

“Things have changed a lot since I first started doing things.”

Despite all the roles that he has had over many years, Mr Hicks said he struggled to pick just one as his favourite.

“I think nothing stands out completely because they were all good and satisfactory,” he said.

With age being just a number to Mr Hicks, he is keen to stay involved with the community.

“You are only as old as you feel and I don't feel 94 years old,” he said.

“I'd just like to thank everybody for the support. It’s certainly honour to receive this.”