Mr Sheehan has been actively volunteering in the Port Fairy community since the 1970s. He is a life member of both the Port Fairy football netball and cricket clubs.

His other involvement includes the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Southcombe Park committee of management, Port Fairy and District Sports Club, Port Fairy Basketball Association, Port Fairy Tennis Club, Port Fairy Squash Club, Port Fairy Golf Club, the Heather Holcombe Day, the Murray to Moyne, Port Fairy Community Youth Club, Port Fairy Agricultural Show Society and St Patrick’s Church Parish Council.

Mr Sheehan said he was thrilled to win the Australia Day award.

“It is very unexpected. I was dumbfounded when I found out. It came out of the blue” Mr Sheehan said.

“My dad was always involved in things and he taught me that it was a good thing to do.

“My first thing was with the footy club back in 1972. I wasn’t a great player so I became a trainer and they asked me to come on the committee. I was only 16.

“I ran it past Dad and he thought it was a great idea, so that’s where it all started.”

The citation backing Mr Sheehan’s Australia Day award estimates that through his work he has raised more than $1 million for Port Fairy sporting bodies.

It is also estimated his volunteer work has raised more than $200,000 for local charities. 

“I enjoy being on committees and seeing what they can achieve,” Mr Sheehan said.

“I think you have to have a vision of what you want to do. Things get in the way sometimes but you just have to find a way to get what you want done.”

Other winners for Moyne are the Koroit Truck Show (event of the year) and Stephen Mirtschin (youth citizen of the year). 

The Moyne Australia Day awards ceremony is at Fiddlers Green, Port Fairy from 9.30am on January 26.