He devotes time to guide visitors through the historic courthouse every Tuesday and is on standby to help at other times.

The 88-year-old was among the volunteers recognised for their dedication and excellence on Tuesday (May 18).

Volunteer HQ Port Macquarie Hastings staged the 2021 In the Spotlight volunteer award and recognition ceremony as part of National Volunteer Week.

The week's theme is recognise, reconnect and reimagine.

Colin O'Grady (Friends of the Historic Courthouse), Pam Foye (Rotary Club of Port Macquarie), Rex Mathers (Linked Community Services) and Bill Mair (Linked Community Services) were recognised in the individual category.

The team category honoured the Linked Community Services team and the RSPCA team.

Jan Aldridge (4Life Care and Training) was recognised in the volunteer manager category.

Volunteer HQ coordinator Nuscha Van Nieuwkerk said the awards were designed to highlight and recognise the volunteer industry in our community.

"Volunteers do what volunteers do best - they like to give and help others and that's how they make a difference - and we are talking a huge difference because there are six million Australians who volunteer and are playing a vital role in their local communities," she said.

The nominated volunteers go above and beyond in their roles.

Friends of the Historic Courthouse volunteer Colin O'Grady shows as many visitors as he can through the old courthouse built in 1869.

"You get more out of it than you put into it," he said.

Mr O'Grady said volunteering kept him young and he had met people from all over the world.

Visitors have ranged from retired judges and magistrates to students.

"I explain the history of the judicial system in Port Macquarie and show them primary source material," Mr O'Grady said.

Rex Mathers was recognised for his volunteer role with Linked Community Services.

He started as a volunteer driver with Hastings Community Transport and then became a community visitor.

"It's a way to get out, it's a way to enjoy yourself and they are all nice people," Mr Mathers said about volunteering.

National Volunteer Week celebrates the significant contribution made by almost six million Australians.

They dedicate more than 600 million hours each year to help others.

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