The Illawarra’s most celebrated musical export is one of four NSW finalists for Australian of the Year.Australian Chamber Orchestra head Richard Tognetti, who was poised to take the stage in Sydney when contacted yesterday, said it was ‘‘a great honour’’ and ‘‘I’m always a boy from the Gong’’.The virtuoso violinist was 24 when he took over the struggling ACO in 1989.He pioneered inventive collaborations with Midnight Oil, Neil Finn, cartoonist Michael Leunig and artist Bill Henson, building the orchestra’s reputation as one of the world’s best.The National Trust declared him a National Living Treasure in 1999.A passionate advocate for music education, he established the ACO’s Education and Emerging Artists programs and youth offshoot ACO2, in 2005.His 2008 performance at Wollongong Town Hall prompted council administrators to allocate $1.6 million to renovate the hall, which had been threatened with demolition.Father Keith, of Keiraville, said Tognetti was modest about his achievements. ‘‘He’s always surprised if somebody gives him an award or something like that, although he’s got a lot of them,’’ Mr Tognetti said.The other state finalists are indigenous rights lawyer Professor Larissa Behrendt, retired NRL great Hazem El Masri and theatre director Neil Armfield - who helped rescue Sydney’s Belvoir St Theatre from the wrecking ball nearly 25 years ago.One will be chosen as a national finalist on November 25, before the Australian of the Year is announced on January 25.