Neil McPhail and John Falconer have been a part of the group for over 20 years.
Mr McPhail said for their time their work on the cardboard factory could be considered their crown jewel.
"We’re proud as a part of the Lions club to have established the recycling. We were the pioneers of the recycling over the past 25 years.
"We started with basically horse and cart, utes and trailers, and now we have two trucks and process over 600 tonnes," he said.
This recycling work helped the people of Gore save serious money, at about $170 a tonne, Mr McPhail said.
Mr McPhail said it had not been easy, but has been done regardless.
"We’ve had our ups and downs over the past few years, but we’ve had great support, especially from the council," he said.
Now, in recognition of this work, they have received Melvin Jones Fellowships, the highest award the Lions can give to those who have given so much.
Mr McPhail said the award was great, but the service and the company were important.
"I’ve been thinking about why I’m a Lion. I was brought up in a community where we serve the community. It’s not something you have to really think about.
"When you retire, in my case from farming, you look for like-minded people, and the Lions are a very likeable crowd," Mr McPhail said.
Mr Falconer said the award meant a lot to him and came as a surprise.
"I was amazed. I thought it was just incredible. Certainly not expected," he said.
Mr Falconer said the Pukeke Lions had brought a lot to his life, and the organisation gave a lot to the world.
"I just think about how much value we’ve received out of the Pukeke Lions, and the extreme amount of good the Lions do locally, nationally and internationally.
"It’s benefitted my life being a part of the Lions," he said.
With the prestigious award, both men have a plaque, and are forever linked to Lions International from all they have given.
