Mr Allgood was made a Paul Harris Fellow at Rotary's annual meeting.

Community service started early for Mr Allgood, who was a Cub and Boy Scout as a youngster.

He joined the Ararat Urban Fire Brigade in 1959 and served for more than 40 years, even living in the fire station as a station officer when first married in 1965.

Mr Allgood took a break from the fire brigade when he went travelling to Western Australia and Queensland in 1970 - 1973 to work on Cam Coopers Mining Crew. He became First Lieutenant in 1984 and Captain in 1992 and even appeared in the media. Stories featured in the Herald Sun - 'Way of Life Under Fire 1995' - and New Idea - 'All In The Family' - about the family's involvement in the brigade.

He attended many of the region's and state's major fires including Mount Boswell, Streatham, Ararat General Electric, Ash Wednesday, Ararat Tech School, Bucketty and the Maryborough bush fires, where he saved his crew but lost the fire truck.

For his services to the fire brigade he received a 15 year badge, 20 year badge, 25 year badge, National Medal in 1989, 30 year badge and 40 year badge as well as the National Medal from the Fire Service, Victorian Fire Service Medal in 2009 for assistance to fires and a Gold Star Award in 1992.

Over the years Mr Allgood was also a member of the State Emergency Service, was a J-Ward volunteer for many years, manager of the Gigarats, official photographer on the first tour to China in 1989, he was a member of the Ararat Regional Business Association for 30 years including many years as treasurer, Ararat Relay for Life, Ararat Golden Gateway Festival organiser for the annual walk over Mount Langi Ghiran, he received a Family of the Year Award for services to the Fire Brigade from the Ararat Golden Gateway Festival in 1994, volunteered for working bees for the Ararat Show Society, was a former member of the Ararat Hill Climb and a member and treasurer for many years of the Green Hill Lake Development Board.

At Green Hill Lake he is often found at work, cutting grass, planting lawn and trees, erecting bird boxes, emptying rubbish bins, cleaning toilets and showers and he also loves to go out and check the numbers of visitors and encourages campers into Ararat.

On top of all this he also drives the bus for the Ararat Day Centre and this year was awarded an Australian of the Year Certificate.

Mr Allgood loves being part of Ararat Rotary, which has been a huge part of his life since retiring, enjoying the comradeship, helping people and working as part of the team out in the community.

Encouraging more people to become interested in helping all organisations in a positive way by volunteering is something he hopes to do and he is very proud of the increased membership that has happened by new people joining the club. He believes it is important to give back to the community through this important service club in a positive manner.

Mr Allgood's work in the community and for Rotary embodies the Rotary ideals of 'Service before Self'.