Not only has he contributed tenfold to Bathurst's streetscapes over the past three decades through his building business, Inland Building and Construction, but Mr Pennells has also led distinguished careers as a firefighter, real estate agent and amateur motor racing driver.

For Mr Pennells, the honour of Bathurst Living Legend is a humbling accolade.

"I think it's an excellent program acknowledging hard work and dedication and the other 2020 inductees are each deserving of the accolade," he said.

"They're all fine examples of what this town is all about."

OTHER 2020 LIVING LEGEND INDUCTEES:

Mr Pennells spent many of his formative years in Bathurst, where he attended Bathurst High School, completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic at Bathurst Motors, and met his wife, Judy.

In 1976, he commenced his 40-plus year career as a firefighter, initially volunteering with the Bathurst Volunteer Fire Brigade, before moving to Sydney two years later to enlist with Fire and Rescue NSW.

Mr Pennells was stationed at Kogarah Fire Station for eight years, which he said was the most enjoyable period of his working life.

"We used to get a lot of jobs, we were going the whole time and through Kogarah, I've made some lifelong friends," he said.

"There were some rough times, such as the 1981 nursing home fire at Sylvania Heights, where 16 people lost their lives."

"I still wake up in the middle of the night thinking of those people occasionally, it never truly leaves you."

It was during his early firefighting career that Mr Pennells obtained his building licence, which allowed him to open a rural merchandising business in the Southern Highlands.

Mr Pennells would later find himself taking a break from firefighting and business to complete a real estate course at the University of Western Sydney, which eventually brought him and his family back to Bathurst to assume work with Elders Real Estate.

"I worked for Elders for a few years, then opened LJ Hooker, and both experiences were positive and after selling LJ Hooker, I took up the initiative to buy, renovate and sell old houses around Bathurst," he said.

Mr Pennells' renovation skill would lead to a fruitful commercial building partnership with the late Bruce Bolam.

READ ALSO: Business partner David Pennells pays tribute to his friend Bruce Bolam

The partnership between Mr Pennells and Mr Bolam resulted in the construction and rejuvenation of approximately 80 per cent of the Bathurst CBD's commercial properties, including the VERTO building, Read Chambers, Osborne House and the Centrelink building in Russell Street.

"Over 15 years, we carried out millions of dollars worth of projects throughout the CBD," Mr Pennells said.

"Bruce and I were the closest of friends, and I've never met a man with so much vision and mathematical knowledge."

Mr Pennells also resumed his firefighting career on returning to Bathurst, helping bring a host of major incidents under control, including the 2005 Kelso High fire and a close shave with the Royal Hotel.

He is also a keen motor racing enthusiast, having participated on most eastern Australian tracks [including Mount Panorama] alongside the likes of his son Stuart, Grant Denyer, Matt Windsor and Brad Shiels, and is also a passionate contributor to the local community.

"A rule that I [and Bruce when he was alive] have always lived by is that you always leave something there for the next person," Mr Pennells said.

"I can't say I've ever been involved in a project that hasn't been rewarding, whether it be the people you meet, the facilities you improve or the buildings you save."