Few would have heard of his name, but, like most of our country’s unsung heroes, that’s how he prefers it.

Mr Wilson is this year’s Shellharbour Citizen of the Year, recognised at yesterday’s Australia Day celebrations for his tremendous fund-raising efforts for Illawarra Cancer Carers over the past 12 years.

While there were many well-known - and well-deserved - recipients of this year’s Australia Day honours in various fields of endeavour, volunteers such as Mr Wilson are the backbone of our community and deserve just as much recognition.

Mr Wilson doesn’t work for reward or awards, but does it because he knows he is making a significant difference to the lives of people who are suffering from cancer. And it is significant - he has helped raise more than $2million in the past dozen years.

He knows first-hand just how cancer can devastate families, having lost his mother, brother and sister to the disease.

He is modest about his achievements and the Citizen of the Year just hopes his award will raise awareness of Illawarra Cancer Carers. He has certainly done just that.