Club president Madeline Roff said the Lions surprised Mr Walker with the award at their annual changeover dinner last month.
‘‘The award honours the Father of Lionism in Northern Victoria and Southern NSW, the late Chris August,’’ Ms Roff said.
Chris August was an influential member of the Wangaratta Lions, who were responsible for chartering the Benalla Lions in 1957.
Born in Poland, Mr August migrated to Australia, via Canada, in 1947.
He came to north-east Victoria to assist in setting up Bruck Mills in Wangaratta.
On a trip to Sydney in 1953 he met a member of the Sydney Lions.
On his return he got some friends together and set up a club in Wangaratta.
Mr August passed away in 1999, and ever since the district’s top award has been named in his honour.
Mr Walker, who has been a member of the Benalla Lions Club for 35 years, said he was honoured and humbled to receive the award.
‘‘I was unaware that I would be given this award, it was a complete surprise,’’ he said.
‘‘They were presenting service awards, which is a usual part of the changeover dinner.
‘‘All of a sudden they announced that they had something extra for me, which happened to be the Chris August award.
‘‘It is a huge honour as I think I might be the first member of the Benalla Lions Club to receive one.
‘‘And it’s the old story in that there are so many people in our club, who do so much, that you assume they are ahead of you for an honour like this.
‘‘So to have my name read out and be given this award is very nice.’’
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