Now, he has been recognised for his dedicated service to the community with the Senior Citizen of the Year Award and Alwyn Jones Community Award.

“I’m very humbled to have won, it’s nice to know your work is appreciated – but that’s not why I do it,” Mr Peter said.

A supervisor with Armidale Care for Seniors Splinters group, Mr Peter instructs, designs and nurtures projects that others bring to the table.

“I help them make what they want to achieve, some people just want to sit and talk, others want to make things, others want to repair things,” Mr Peter said.

“It keeps them active, it’s just satisfaction for me, I just like helping people.

“And you’re never too old to learn, they show me things that I didn’t know!”

Nominated by Armidale Care for Seniors senior coordinator Natasha Little said it was high time he got some recognition for his hard work.

“Ken’s been volunteering with us for over 18 months now and in that time what he’s done for us to establish a new workshop has been a phenomenal job,” Ms Little said.

“In talking with Ken I found out what else he’s been doing in the community, and when I found out he’s been volunteering since 1962 as a consistent, player for the band I thought it was due time for recognition.

“He had no idea, and that’s the beauty of Ken – he’s so humble in what he does that it he was just completely stoked.”

Mr Peter joined the Armidale City Band in 1962 and still plays the tenor horn.

He began learning music with the Salvation Army in 1958, and also volunteered at the hydrotherapy pool before it closed.

Mr Peter said he’s still in shock about his awards.

“I turned up expecting to get a piece of paper that said I’m a volunteer and ended up with four pieces of paper – and two in frames, so it was a big surprise,” he said.

“I’m quite honoured to have received that.”