But long-standing Gore district councillor and Mataura Community Board member Neville Phillips has won that accolade.
Neville Phillips won the national SuperHuman Award at the Local Government New Zealand SuperLocal conference in Wellington last night.
He was awarded the status by judges who described his "tremendous service” to the Mataura community, from supervising Project Employment Programme schemes through to being a councillor and many other roles.
"Neville comes across as a battler for Mataura and Gore," a judge said.
"He’s not afraid to pursue projects that are contentious, with the skills to win through and land outcomes."
Central Otago district councillor Sally Feinerman, of the Teviot Valley, was also nominated for the award.
The newly created award celebrated an elected member who exemplified what being one was all about.
Cr Phillips moved to Mataura in 1982, working for the council as a Three Waters operator during that time and then making his way on to the newly created Mataura Community Board in 2003.
Fellow members of the Mataura Community Board nominated him for the award.
Earlier this month he said he was "humbled" by the nomination.
"At the end of the day you don’t do it for accolades. You do it because someone needs to do it."
He is a 21-year Mataura Community Board member and 10-year Gore district councillor.
There had been many highlights during his time, he said.
One was the construction of the Mataura Service Centre.
The project took the board "quite a few years" to complete.
"That was one of my major drivers. It’s worked out pretty well so far. It’s shown that it was worth the effort."
He had high hopes for the future of the town and it was very pleasing to have facilities in place to help the community grow and be safer for families.
The second stage of Tulloch Park, a $1.1 million redevelopment will be another "show-piece" for the town.
"It’s going to drag not only families but people from throughout the district here."
The redevelopment included the installation of a new splash pad, toilet and changing rooms.
LGNZ president Sam Broughton congratulated the winners and other finalists, as well as every council that entered this year’s awards.
"Councils have so many unsung heroes delivering for their communities. It’s a privilege to celebrate these outstanding projects and teams."
