A quick look at Tamworth Rugby Park and you can tell the ground is well looked after.
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One of the main reasons the oval is in such good nick is because of the work Don Peterson has done for close to two decades.
He first volunteered at the club almost 18 years ago. Peterson said he started out because: "I was a pensioner. I had nothing to do and this kept me occupied."
And now, the octogenarian will be stepping away from his volunteering role at the Tamworth Rugby Union Sporting Club.
With all the hours Peterson has put into the club it was only fitting that an honour, or three, were bestowed upon the volunteer as he packs away his sprinklers.
On Wednesday, Peterson was given life membership and was also able to witness the unveiling of the Don Peterson Shed along with the Don Peterson Shield for Outstanding Service to the Club.
When learning of the honours, it was clear how much they meant to an emotional Peterson who described how he felt afterwards.
"Weak at the knees, mate. Weak at the knees," Peterson told The Leader. "I did a lot of work but I had a lot of help, too. It's a great honour to have something like that [bestowed on you]."
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On the day, Ken Noble was also awarded the special services award while Peterson gave out the Shield named in his honour to its first recipient - Bob Brown.
Brown, along with Peter Smith, will be taking over from Peterson.
President Mitch Hanlon said Peterson was a role model to the younger generation and a vital cog in the running of the club.
"A club is dependant on individuals like that committing," Hanlon said.
"That's just one small slither of the operation of the club. Someone looks after the money, someone looks after the membership - so you need this squad of volunteers who just have to be selfless and he was one of those."
Peterson will be focusing on his health now after he was recently diagnosed with leukemia.
"It's really tough to handle at times but I appreciate everything all you people have done for me as well," Peterson said to Hanlon on Wednesday.
The whole Magpies community were hoping for the best for Peterson who is off for more tests in the next few weeks.
"The first stages have been a bit up and down but I've gotta go to Newcastle next week for a bone marrow biopsy and that'll tell them whether the chemo has had any results - good or bad," he said.
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