Ron Crouch was surprised to get a call saying he would be receiving the prestigious award on Australia Day.

"I was little embarrassed because I don't think I have done enough to warrant that sort of award," he said. "But I am very honoured."

Mr Crouch first started Ron Crouch Transport alongside his wife in 1978, and they had no idea it would become such a recognisable brand.

"I started it because being an ex-farmer there are not many things you can do," he said. "I knew trucks, and I started off carting stock, and then I saw there was an opening to do many other things."

In the 1980s, Mr Crouch and some fellow truckies saw multiple media reports of serious crashes, so they decided to band together and "straighten up the industry".

"We started by forming a transport organisation locally, and that turned into NatRoad," he said. "I feel quite proud of where we got the industry got to. When I went to Canberra a lot with NatRoad, I was very lucky that my wife worked with me and that I had good staff that could cover my absences."

Mr Crouch's son now runs the company, and his my grandson and granddaughter also work there.

"I am very pleased that the third generation also works for the company - that's quite an achievement," he said.

Mr Crouch has been involved in many volunteer groups, including Meals on Wheels, and Riverina Cancer Care. When asked why he dedicated so much of his time, Mr Crouch said the answer was simple.

"I am a very proud resident of Wagga and very proud Australian," he said. "I wanted to do anything that I could help contribute to the growth of both places."

John Craig, the president of Wagga Meals on Wheels, said Mr Crouch has shown by his deeds that he has a strong desire to see the city grow and prosper.

"During his time on the board, it was decided to renovate and extend the Meals on Wheels building. Ron was quick to volunteer to act as the project manager for the works," he said. "This was a demanding task but undertaken without fuss. The building works stand as a testament to his ability to manage people and projects."