Bathurst man Royce George talks about being a Living Legend

Earlier this month his dedication to the community was recognised, after he was named one of the city's Living Legends.

Royce was nominated for the award by his daughter Mandy, who has recently been undergoing medial treatment in Sydney.

While Mandy wasn't able to be there in person to see her Dad receive the award, she was able to watch the ceremony via facetime.

In writing the submission, Mandy said while many know her dad as a local tradie and lover of rugby league, many would be unaware of his massive contribution to the Bathurst community.

"Royce lost his mother Wilma (a Bathurst resident) to breast cancer in 1994. During that time, Bathurst cancer patients were required to travel to Sydney for their treatment.

"Royce saw first-hand the toll that took on his Mother and her family," she said.

Following the loss of his mother to cancer, Royce became involved with the massive community fundraising effort to build Daffodil Cottage.

"Dad sourced free building materials, donated his staff and own labour to put the roof on the cottage," she said.

In 2008 GWAHS attempted to repurpose areas of Daffodil Cottage for non-cancer related services. Mandy told how her Dad garnered community support, and then met with the then General Manager of eastern cluster of GWAHS and the GWAHS Director of corporate services for discussion.

"With support of fellow Bathurstians, Royce advocated against the repurposing of Daffodil Cottage's treatment rooms for non-cancer related services, and by the end of this meeting the GM had given a commitment that Daffodil Cottage would not be touched," she said.

Mandy also spoke about the floods in August 1998, when Royce loaded his family up into the work ute and drove them all down to Gilmour St.

"The torrential downpour had burst the banks of the Macquarie River, and the water was lapping at the back door of the houses along Gilmour St," she recalled.

"Dad used his ute to transport sand, filled sandbags, and worked tirelessly to assist the residents to save their houses from the rising waters," she said.

Royce himself was no stranger to flooding, having grown up at number 3 Hereford Street, he knew the devastation flooding can cause to a household, and ensured he and his family did what they could to help prevent other locals from experiencing that heartache.

Royce's dedication to the Bathurst sporting landscape was also acknowledged through the award. He has spent countless hours helping develop rugby league in the city and region, playing the role of selector, coach and manager many times over the years for Bathurst Penguins, Bathurst Panthers, then representing Bathurst with Group 10 and Western Division in similar roles.

He is also heavily involved in the Men of League Foundation that raises funds to assist the men, women and children of the rugby league community during tough times. Royce is currently the President of the mid-west committee.

Receiving his award, Royce said it was an "absolute honour" to be named a living legend.

"He said he felt over the moon when he heard the news."

Royce said he loves being part of the community and has always been happy to help out.

He said he got involve building Daffodil Cottage after his mum died from cancer.

"It was something in my heart that I really wanted to do," he said.

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