ONE of Tamworth's most dedicated volunteers is in the running to be honoured by Sports NSW.
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Motor sport tragic Matt Halpin has been nominated for the Sports NSW community official of the year award, in recognition of his nearly three decades as an official.
The nomination comes off the back of Halpin winning the 2018 Confederation of Australian Motor Sports official of the year award.
"I started as a marshal and an official in the early 1990s when Oakburn Park opened, and I have been doing it ever since," Halpin told the Leader.
"Being involved in motor sport is fantastic: you get to meet so many different people and make some life-long friendships. You don't get involved to win awards like this, but it is humbling to be recognised."
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Acting as an official has taken Halpin to some of the sports greatest events, including the Bathurst 1000.
"Being an official at Bathurst was a really great experience," he said.
"It's taken me to some other great events, too, like the Porsche International and the Australian section of the World Rally Championships.
"Hopefully in the future it might even take me to the Finke Race in the Northern Territory; that one is certainly on my bucket list."
This year's awards will be held at NSW Parliament House on Thursday night and will see some of the state's most dedicated sports people recognised for their efforts.
"It really is an honour to be nominated. I was shocked to hear I was a nominee and, no matter what happens, I am really humbled by this nomination," Halpin said.
Halpin's daughter Stephanie said her father's nomination was "reward for effort".
"I think it is so great for Dad to be recognised like this," she said.
"He has dedicated so much of his life to the sport and I know while we might not see much of him at home, he really loves being involved.
"I know he doesn't like much of a fuss being made about him, but we are so proud of this achievement and everything he's done."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
