But later it was revealed he was in the crowd which was told John Trounce was a person who 'bends the back' to get things done. A determined mind that slogs through all the mire to kick the goal in the end.

"From about 1965 Mr Trounce has been working quietly for different groups and passions within the community of Wellington and its surrounds," Councillor Mark Griggs recounted at the awards ceremony.

"From that year until 1977, he served two periods, each of about four years, as a member of Wellington Apex Club culminating as president in 1976.

"Mr Trounce was also a board member of the Wellington Community Preschool in the late 1970s and also its president for a term.

"During the 80s he moved on with the growing age of the children and was involved in the Wellington High School Parents and Citizens committee, of which he was the president and later awarded life membership.

"He has been a long-term member of the Wellington United Farmers and Woolgrowers Association including secretary and chairman.

"A member of the local bushfire brigade since 1967 and is still active as chairman but has served as captain and vice-captain across the years.

"Mr Trounce has served as chairman of the Wellington Uniting Church re-development committee overseeing the church's building redevelopment and additional hall at rear and served two terms on Wellington Council from 1995 before moving on to the next challenge, joining the board of Maranatha House in 2005 where he served as vice-chairman in 2006 and then chairman from 2007 until 2012.

"He has been at the forefront of the new Maranatha development which is currently under way and still seems to never stop," Cr Griggs said.

When Mr Trounce was called to the stage he said there were so many people deserving of these awards asking "why me?"

"I don't deserve this," he said.

The crowd knew though Mr Trounce had been a 'behind the scenes' champion for Wellington and they acknowledged that.