Colin “Cactus” Martens has been officially recognised for using country music to serve the community.
He received the 19th Peel Valley Lions Club Australian Country Music Comm-unity Service Award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival last week.
The award was created in 1994 to honour people involved in country music who have used their talents to serve the community voluntarily.
Mr Martens was nominated by the local Lions Club of which he is a member.
Peel Valley Lions Club president Terry Hill presented the award, live on air on Volkswagen Amarok Tamworth Festival FM.
According to the local Lions secretary, Michael Hill, “Cactus has spent countless hours over the years raising funds for numerous charities in the Port Pirie
district including Heartbeat, Cancer foundation and Riding for the Disabled”.
“When he is not using his talents to assist the local country music clubs, he can be seen entertaining at senior citizens and old folks’ Homes, Laura Hospital, CARA Kids Camp and Crystal Brooks Possums Club for intellectually- challenged adults,” he said. Mr Martens received a distinctive mounted Tamworth Dunny created by local renowned ceramic artist Fred Hillier and a cheque for $500 which he will donate partly to the chemotherapy unit at the Port Pirie hospital and the balance to Riding for the Disabled.
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