Covering the Upper Lachlan, Goulburn Mulwaree, Yass Valley and Queanbeyan-Palerang regions, the Crookwell fire fighter is also a volunteer member for the Grabben Gullen Rural Fire Brigade.

Nominated for the award about a month ago, Mr McDonald said he never thought he would take out the top award.

“I was doing what I was elected to do. I wasn’t doing anything out of the ordinary... nothing more than any other members would do,” he said.

“There’s a lot of technical work putting a fire out, it’s not simply putting the wet stuff on the red stuff. It was a massive learning curve when I started.”

The decision to become a firefighter always appealed to him and thought turned to action in 2003 during the Canberra bushfires.

He was at the airport watching the coverage when the amount of effort by the volunteers to contain the fire and keep the community safe struck him. 

He often travels between brigades, presenting grants, linking volunteers with chaplain services or assisting with scholarships.

Over 2,500 registered members work with the RFS across his patch.

Covered in dirt and jumping between trucks, he said volunteers work all day and night when tackling fires, and is still astounded by their dedication.

“You see them giving up so much of their work and family time to give back and protect the local community,” he said.

“They never complain. Not one member regrets doing what they do.” 

Since being elected Chair in 2014, Nathan has been instrumental in establishing fully functional RFSA branches within the division and providing on-going support, direction and encouragement to new branch delegates.

“One of my biggest motivators is the reward of seeing the difference my actions make on the members we represent, seeing the reaction on the faces of volunteers who come from struggling brigades when they receive grant items or sponsorship,” he said.