Decades of hard work in the community has paid off for Port Macquarie's Geoff Metcalfe, recognised as an honorary member of the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia NSW.
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State member Leslie Williams presented to the coveted award to Mr Metcalfe, only the second ever to be awarded in NSW.
The ceremony took place during the Port Macquarie IPWEA Regional Forum at Port Macquarie's Waters Edge on March 6.
Mr Metcalfe said being part of the group was about leading in the field, connecting with others and being resourceful.
"Very, very honoured, very chuffed. I've been with the IPWEA for probably half my life," he said.
"The IPWEA has certainly been part of my life. I love engineering and it gives me a chance to connect with local government bodies.
"Each year we have a bit like the Academy Awards going around the state judging various projects with each council vying for this award.
"That's where the IPWEA does it very well, looking after the local government community."
Mr Metcalfe moved to Port Macquarie after spending nine years working on water and sewerage design in Sydney, and has never looked back.
"From 1981 to 2013 I was with Port Macquarie Hastings Council, the last 20 years as development engineering," he said.
"There was an amalgamation of council at that time and they had need for new staff. The timing was right and I came up from Sydney.
"I ended up joining IPWEA by 1990 and it became part of my life. I ended up being heavily involved.
"I've been elected to the board for two seasons and became a chairman at some of the national conferences, seen the growth of IPWEA and know that it's in good hands."
Mr Metcalfe is now retired and spends his time on a new project as a international tour agent for his own travel business.
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